Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section – Area I
Lieutenant Rio Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report no.: 20-048397
Media Release
Hawaiʻi Island Police have arrested and charged a 28-year-old Mountain View man with an array of firearms and drug offenses stemming from an incident that occurred Friday morning (June 26) at a residence in Hawaiian Paradise Park.
The suspect is identified as Joshua Rylan Wamar De Ponte.
Shortly after 7:00 a.m. Friday morning (June 26), Puna Patrol officers responded to a residence on 31st Avenue in Hawaiian Paradise Park after Wamar De Ponte called police and reported that he had been threatened by two males. Upon making contact with Wamar De Ponte on the roadway fronting the residence, officers observed a modified shotgun on the floor within his vehicle. He was placed under arrest for a firearm violation and the vehicle was recovered pending execution of a search warrant.
During the course of the investigation, officers contacted a female at the residence who reported that she and Wamar De Ponte had previously been in a relationship. She reported that he had come to the residence this morning and threatened her and others within the house with a rifle.
Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. The search of the vehicle yielded a modified (sawed off) shotgun, which had previously been reported stolen; as well as 3.95 grams methamphetamine, and miscellaneous prescription pills.
After conferring with county prosecutors, Wamar De Ponte was charged with Place to Keep Firearm, Ownership Prohibited, Possession of Prohibited Weapons, Registration Firearm Mandatory, Permit to Acquire, first-degree Theft, two counts of first-degree Terroristic Threatening, third-degree Promotion of a Dangerous Drug, and fourth-degree promotion of a Harmful Drug. His total bail was set at $106,000.00
Wamar De Ponte remained in police custody pending his initial court appearance which was scheduled for today, Monday (June 29) in South Hilo District Court.
