Hawaii Island police arrested 31-year-old Pomaikai Olson of Na‘alehu on Saturday afternoon for first-degree robbery after a violent crime spree across several towns.
At 4:43 p.m., police dispatchers received multiple reports of a reckless driver heading toward Hilo on Highway 11. Callers said a large white Dodge pickup truck was forcing vehicles off the road and causing several collisions.
As officers searched for the truck, a 62-year-old woman called 911 to report she had been carjacked at gunpoint near Highway 11 and Luna Ikena Road in Volcano.
The suspect, later identified as Olson, had abandoned his white pickup in the roadway and fled in the woman’s Hummer H3, driving toward Hilo.
Cory Untch, who was on his way to a grocery store in Volcano, witnessed the chaos.
“I was driving and a Hummer, white Hummer SUV came barreling by me at high speed, went into the other lane to pass me, and started coming at oncoming traffic head-on,” he said.
Moments later, dispatch received more reports of the Hummer driving recklessly. The vehicle ran two police units off the road and hit three other cars before becoming disabled.
“We came out and, you know, there was cars all on the sides of the road and the guy was just banging everybody all the way down, you know, all the way down towards 7-Eleven,” said Zachary Smith.
After the crash, Olson got out of the disabled Hummer and tried to flag down passing drivers. A 79-year-old man said Olson pointed a gun at him and demanded his car when he slowed down. The man sped away and called 911.
Continuing on foot, Olson allegedly approached a home on Volcano Road in Kurtistown, where he tried to forcibly enter. He confronted the 53-year-old homeowner, pointed a firearm at him, and demanded the keys to his Dodge pickup. Fearing for his and his family’s safety, the man complied.
“He pointed the gun at me and kinda threatened me saying he needs the keys to my truck. And just to end the situation I said you know what? The keys in the truck. Take (them),” the Kurtistown resident said.
Olson jumped into the truck, accelerated, and hit a parked vehicle. As he reversed, he nearly struck a 26-year-old man who had to leap out of the way. Olson then drove onto Highway 11, hit another vehicle, and disabled the stolen truck. Witnesses saw him throw a firearm at a passing car before trying to stop more motorists.
The homeowner and his nephew restrained Olson until officers arrived and arrested him at 5:05 p.m.
“My nephew say him throw the gun and threw a piece of pipe at him and attacked him and grabbed him and took him to the ground,” the Kurtistown resident said. “Then he was subdued by my nephew, my son, and my neighbor from up the road.”
Police later determined the weapon Olson used was an airsoft pistol that looked like a real gun.
Detectives responded to several crime scenes and continue to investigate. Both the stolen Hummer H3 and the Dodge pickup were recovered and are awaiting search warrants. Investigators also learned Olson did not have permission to drive the white Dodge, which belonged to a family member.
After completing the searches and identifying additional charges, detectives will meet with the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for a charging decision.
Police urge anyone who witnessed the incidents or may have been a victim to contact Detective Amy Omaya at (808) 961-2381 or email [email protected].
Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may qualify for a reward of up to $1,000.