Hawai‘i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section – Area I
Lieutenant Rio S. Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report No.: 21-015797
Media Release
Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 39-year-old Bernard K. Antoque of Kona, with an array of drug and firearm related offenses.
On Thursday, February 25, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., members of the Area I Special Enforcement Unit located Antoque seated in a vehicle parked on Kumu Street in the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision in Pahoa. Antoque had two outstanding warrants stemming from an unrelated manslaughter and negligent homicide investigation. As officers contacted Antoque, they observed a firearm and marijuana within the vehicle in plain view. Antoque was arrested without incident and the vehicle was recovered and towed to the Hilo police station.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which yielded the recovery of a loaded “ghost gun” pistol (firearm without serial number), various types of ammunition, approximately 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine, a minute amount of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
On Friday, February 26, 2021, after conferring with county prosecutors, detectives charged Antoque with five counts of ownership/possession of a firearm prohibited, place to keep pistol, place to keep ammunition, “ghost gun” violation, loaded firearm on highway, possession of a firearm with intent to facilitate the commission of a felony drug offense, two counts of first-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, possession of an imitation controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and driving without a valid driver’s license. His total bail was set at $337,500 for these offenses.
Antoque made his initial court appearance on Monday afternoon, March 1, in Hilo District Court.