Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section, Area I
Lieutenant Miles Chong
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report No. C17028983
Media Release
Hawaiʻi Island police are conducting a burglary and arson investigation into a break-in and suspected intentionally set fire at the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center in Hilo. A 33-year-old male was arrested at the scene.
At approximately 6:40 p.m., Monday evening, (October 16), police and fire units responded to the old section of the facility off Waiānuenue Avenue. Arriving units found cells on the second floor of the building fully engulfed in flames. This portion of the facility was used as storage with the bottom floor utilized by maintenance personnel. It is a separate building from any other on the grounds used to house inmates. No inmates were in danger at any time therefor no evacuation was needed or conducted.
As firefighters were clearing all the cells on the second floor, checking for anyone present as they extinguished fires in multiple individual cells, a man emerged from a cell which contained contents that were on fire at the time. He ran past the firefighters but was apprehended by nearby correctional officers and detained until patrol officers arrived. One correctional officer was treated for smoke inhalation and another for a laceration sustained during efforts to extinguish the fire prior to the arrival of firefighters.
Police arrested Daniel J. Blust of Hilo for first-degree arson, second-degree burglary, two counts of fourth-degree theft, third-degree criminal property damage and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. The latter charges stem from the subsequent discovery that vehicles near the suspected point of entry into the building were damaged and items taken from within as well. The suspect did not require medical attention.
Blust is being held at Hilo cellblock while detectives with the Criminal Investigation Section continue this investigation.
Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Todd Pataray at (808) 961-2382 or todd.pataray@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
