Hawai‘i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section – Area I
Lieutenant Rio S. Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report No.: 22-026037
Media Release
Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged a Hilo woman with arson.
Shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022, South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to a reported structure fire on Ohana Place in Hilo. Upon arrival, the residence was fully engulfed. Fire department personnel extinguished the fire and determined that no one was injured.
Witnesses at the scene reported that a woman, later identified as 37-year-old Ashley Nichole Turner of Hilo, who had previously resided at the residence, was seen leaving the house as the fire broke out. She was located a short time later down the street near Hau Lane, where she was arrested.
Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel responded to the scene to continue this investigation. Fire investigators estimated the damage to the residence at approximately $80,000.
After conferring with County Prosecutors, on Saturday afternoon, March 26, 2022, detectives charged Turner with first-degree arson.
Turner remained in police custody in lieu of $50,000 bail pending her initial court appearance scheduled for Monday, March 28, in Hilo District Court.
Police ask anyone who may have information about this incident to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Clarence Davies at (808) 961-2382, or via email at Clarence.Davies@hawaiicounty.gov. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300.