On Monday in Hilo, Hawai'i Island police arrested and charged John Juan-Malak Taliauli, a 40-year-old Keaau resident, after a disturbance. According to the Hawaii Police Department, Taliauli allegedly threatened a 30-year-old man with a handgun on Wainaku Street. The victim said Taliauli showed the weapon and threatened to kill him before leaving the scene.
The incident happened shortly after 1:00 a.m., leading local authorities to respond. Taliauli was found in a vehicle at a restaurant drive-thru. At first, he did not respond to the officers' commands about his arrest, but after nearly an hour of negotiation, he complied. The police stated that his vehicle was taken as evidence while they await a search warrant, as reported by the Hawaii Police Department.
Authorities executing a search warrant on a vehicle found a loaded pistol, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia. Taliauli faces charges including first-degree terroristic threatening and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, with bail set at $196,000. He remains in custody, and his initial court appearance is scheduled on Tuesday afternoon in Hilo District Court. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Officer Manuel Soares at (808) 961-8222 or [email protected], as stated by the Hawaii Police Department.
