Man arrested in Pahoa arson

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A 45-year-old Pahoa man is in police custody following a domestic dispute Sunday night.

A 45-year-old Pahoa man is in police custody following a domestic dispute Sunday night.

Around 4:15 a.m. Monday, police arrested Peter Lopes for second-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree arson, third-degree assault and first-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

He remains in police custody while detectives investigate.

On Sunday at about 8 p.m., police and fire personnel responded to a Hawaiian Beaches home after receiving a report of a structure fire. They discovered a house fully engulfed in flames. Police learned that the occupants, a 41-year-old Pahoa woman and Lopes, had gotten out of the house uninjured.

According to police, Lopes had allegedly threatened to set fire to the house.

Police found Lopes at a nearby home with a head injury unrelated to the structure fire. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment and arrested after his discharge from the hospital.

The house was deemed a total loss.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.