Hawaii Island police arrested 45-year-old Justin Makoto Pittullo of Hilo on suspicion of terroristic threatening and violation of a court order after a nearly 9-hour standoff at a Hilo residence Friday night.
Shortly after 10:30 p.m., Hilo patrol officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of Ponahawai Street for a report of a man threatening a female tenant, which was in violation of an active temporary restraining order.
Responding officers determined the male suspect, later identified as Pittullo, had barricaded himself within the upstairs portion of the residence where he resides, and refused to exit to speak with officers. He also verbally threatened the officers and threatened to burn and blow up the house.
Due to the threats made by Pittullo, and his refusal to exit the residence, officers evacuated the downstairs tenants, and secured a perimeter.
The department’s Special Response Team and crisis negotiators were activated, along with detectives from the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section, who responded to the scene.
Crisis negotiators continued communication with Pittullo throughout the night in attempts to have him voluntarily surrender.
Detectives obtained a search warrant to enter and search the residence. Shortly after 7:30 a.m. this morning, SRTeam officers arrested Pittullo without incident.
There were no reported injuries to Pittullo, tenants of the residence, or police.
A portion of Ponahawai Street was closed during this investigation. It’s since been reopened. Police thank the public for their patience and understanding.
Pittullo is being held in the Hilo police cellblock while detectives continue to investigate.
Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is asked to call Detective David Poohina of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2385 or david.poohina@hawaiicounty.gov. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.