Police have charged a 61-year-old Kurtistown man with attempted murder following a neighbor dispute early Monday morning in Tiki Gardens subdivision off Ainaloa Boulevard in Puna.
Kelley O. Calvert is charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree assault against a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest. He’s being held in lieu of $272,000 bail pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Hilo District Court.
Shortly after 6 a.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a report of a 58-year-old man who had reportedly been threatened on Paradise Court with a large kitchen knife, then intentionally struck by a vehicle driven by Calvert. The victim was taken by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated and later released.
Police say Calvert went to the victim’s home yelling about killing a dog and verbally threatened to kill the victim before leaving the area.
A short time later, Calvert allegedly returned and stopped his vehicle in front of the the victim’s home, got out, threatened to kill the victim, then chased him with a large kitchen knife.
The victim retreated to his property. Calvert, meanwhile, got back into his vehicle drove directly towards the victim, striking him and colliding with a parked vehicle, police said. After hitting the victim and the parked vehicle, Calvert again allegedly left.
When officers later responded to Calvert’s home, Calvert retreat into the residence, police said. According to police, officers verbally engaged with Calvert, whom they say was seen holding a large kitchen knife, but Calvert initially refused to come outside, and verbally threatened officers. After negotiating with Calvert for a short time, he exited the house and was arrested, police said. Calvert allegedly physically resisted arrest and assaulted one of the officers, who was treated by medics.
Police are asking witnesses to contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.