A tense run-in in the Keauhou Shopping Center parking lot ended with a Kailua‑Kona man in handcuffs after police say a confrontation there escalated into threats aimed at another person and at responding officers. The suspect, identified in court documents as 32‑year‑old Steven Erik Michael Lindquist of Kailua‑Kona, was arrested shortly after the incident, made an initial appearance in Kona District Court, and remained jailed on bail while the case moves forward.
Prosecutors have charged Lindquist with two counts of first‑degree terroristic threatening, attempted first‑degree theft and resisting arrest. According to police, he brandished what turned out to be a .22‑caliber pellet gun during the encounter, then allegedly threatened an officer as they tried to take him into custody. Kona District Court kept bail at $93,000 and ordered him back for a preliminary hearing on Monday, according to the Honolulu Star‑Advertiser.
How Officers Say The Arrest Unfolded
Police say Kona patrol officers tracked Lindquist down a short time after the reported run‑in in the shopping‑center lot. When they moved in to arrest him, a struggle followed, and officers allege he tried to grab an officer's firearm during the scuffle. The weapon he had displayed was later identified as a .22‑caliber pellet gun rather than a live‑fire handgun, and officers booked him on the charges that were later filed.
Charges, Penalties And Where The Case Is Being Heard
Under Hawai‘i law, first‑degree terroristic threatening is a felony, and first‑degree theft is a class B felony. Both carry the potential for substantial prison time if a defendant is convicted. The Keahuolū Courthouse in Kailua‑Kona handles initial district‑court proceedings for West Hawai‘i, including arraignments and preliminary hearings, according to the Hawaii State Judiciary. For more on the relevant statutes and potential sentencing ranges, see: FindLaw (HRS 707-716) and FindLaw (HRS 708-830.5).
What Comes Next
Lindquist is scheduled to return to Kona District Court on Monday for a preliminary hearing, where prosecutors will decide whether to push the case on to circuit court. He remains in custody under the $93,000 bail order while the court process continues. Police are asking anyone with information about the parking‑lot confrontation to contact Hawaii County authorities.
