Media Release

Detectives from the Hawaii Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Section have arrested a 25-year-old student at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Robert Scales of Hilo was arrested for first-degree terroristic threatening after he posted a perceived threatening message on an internet website.

Investigators responded to the University of Hawaii campus just before 1:00 p.m. after the administration had been contacted regarding the posting. Police are not releasing the exact text of the threat, as the investigation is still ongoing.

Responding officers removed Scales from a classroom on campus and took him into custody without incident. He is being held at Hilo police cellblock pending additional investigation. 

No other school activity or class work was adversely affected by this incident.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.