HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
KA’U PATROL DISTRICT
SERGEANT ROLLIN RABARA
PHONE: 939-2520
NOVEMBER 27, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

Ka’u police arrested and charged a 39-year-old man Friday (November 26, 2004) for discharging a rifle in a residential area.

The suspect was identified as Gregory A. Driessen, of a Hawaiian Ocean Views Estates address.

Driessen was charged with reckless endangering, prohibited ownership of a firearm, having no firearm registration and having no permit to acquire a firearm. He is being held in the Kona police cellblock in lieu of $6,500 bail.

Responding to a 2:30 p.m. call of numerous gunshots being fired, Ka’u patrol officers could hear gunshots when they arrived at the scene. Through negotiations, the officers were able to arrest the suspect without incident.

With assistance from West Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives, police obtained a search warrant and recovered a 32-caliber Winchester rifle and ammunition.

An investigation determined that Driessen had a previous conviction, which prohibited him from being in possession of any firearm.

Big Island police remind all residents that discharging a firearm in any residential area is a criminal act subject to prosecution.

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