Hawai‘i Police Department
Hilo Patrol
Captain Sandor Finkey
Phone: (808) 961-2214
Report No.: 22-019246
Media Release
Hawai‘i Police Department has opened an arson investigation relative to a structure fire that occurred on Banyan Drive earlier this morning. The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical in nature and possibly due to tampering with an electrical junction box.
During a sweep of the property, police located a 29-year-old man, later identified as Antanacious Nau, and determined that he was wanted for an outstanding bench warrant and was in possession of drugs. He was arrested for the warrant and two counts of a dangerous drug in the third degree, promotion of a detrimental drug in the third degree, drug paraphernalia, and criminal trespass. However, he has not been arrested relating to the arson. Nau was released pending investigation on all the drug offenses and criminal trespassing, but remains in police custody at this time on the bench warrant. Detectives from Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Vice Section are continuing the drug investigation.
Detectives from Hawaii Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section will be continuing the arson investigation. Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
