After a night interrupted by the sound of gunfire in the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision, Hawai'i Island police have brought charges against a Pāhoa man for a slew of firearms and drug offenses. 30-year-old Guy M. Nobriga found himself ensnared in the legal system following a report of gunshots last Thursday evening, whereupon officers on patrol initiated a search culminating in Nobriga's arrest, as per the Hawaii Police Department.
Officers were drawn to the scene near Kahakai Boulevard and Ahi Street around 11:35 p.m., where they soon encountered a red Honda sedan fitting the description tied to the reported gunshots. Although a traffic stop was conducted for an unrelated traffic violation, Nobriga, driving the vehicle, was detained on an outstanding warrant, while the passenger, Elizabeth F. Lee, was later released pending further investigation. A plainly visible handgun beneath the driver's seat would translate into immediate arrest for both occupants, as detailed by the Hawai'i County Police Department's notice.
With a search warrant granted, the examination of the vehicle led to a slew of incriminating discoveries. A loaded Glock semi-automatic pistol, illegal due to a magazine exceeding the ten-round limit, had been stolen in a prior incident. Additionally, detectives unearthed controlled substances including 1.77 grams of methamphetamine and over 15 grams of marijuana, supported by paraphernalia suggesting the intention to distribute.
Nobriga was then charged last Saturday with a variety of offenses including reckless endangering and the illegal possession of drugs and a firearm. According to Hawaii Police reports, the litany of charges also includes carrying or using a firearm to aid in committing a separate felony, theft of the firearm itself, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. His initial court appearance was scheduled yesterday afternoon in Hilo District Court, his bail set at a staggering $477,000.
This case, still under the purview of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, remains open. Witnesses or parties with relevant information have been encouraged to establish contact with Detective Sybastian Keltner.
