HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
LIEUTENANT DEREK D. PACHECO
PHONE: 961-2252
MAY 15, 2000
G-28703
MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE
Hilo Criminal Investigation Section detectives charged a 23-year-old Hilo man Sunday (May 14, 2000) for allegedly setting fire to his residence.
At 5 p.m., Aka Benjamin, of 100 Kapaka Street, was charged with first-degree criminal property damage and four counts of first-degree reckless endangering. He is being held in the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $6,000 bail.
Benjamin was arrested after officers responded to a 1:51 a.m. report of a fire at the Kapaka Street residence. On arriving, police and fire units found the structure completely engulfed in flames.
The five occupants of the home, including the suspect, escaped without injury.
There was no immediate estimate of damages to the house and its contents.
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