Hawaii Island police: Suspect fired on officer who rushed to aid victims in car crash

Hawaii Island police arrested 2 suspects who allegedly robbed a Kona store at gunpoint before crashing their getaway truck and opening fire at an officer.
Published: Nov. 10, 2022 at 9:20 PM HST|Updated: Nov. 12, 2022 at 2:25 PM HST
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KONA (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii Island police arrested two suspects Friday in connection with a violent crime spree in Kona.

Authorities said 27-year-old Dyllan Paulo-Leslie, of Kailua-Kona, faces multiple charges, including first-degree attempted murder, robbery and reckless endangering.

Officials said 34-year-old Brittany Johnson of Holualoa was arrested for robbery in the same incident.

27-year-old Dyllan Paulo-Leslie, of Kailua-Kona, faces multiple charges including first-degree...
27-year-old Dyllan Paulo-Leslie, of Kailua-Kona, faces multiple charges including first-degree attempted murder, robbery and reckless endangering.(Hawaii Police Department)

Officers responded to a report of an active armed robbery at a business in the Kaloko Light Industrial Park around 8 p.m. Thursday night.

According to the Hawaii Police Department, Paulo-Leslie robbed the store at gunpoint then fled the scene in a gray lifted pick-up truck with a female passenger.

Investigators said prior to contacting the suspect vehicle, it was involved in a traffic collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Route 190 and Hina Lani Street. Both vehicles involved were considered inoperable.

Police said Paulo-Leslie opened fire at an officer who came to check on the victims in the crash. The bullet missed the officer and Paulo-Leslie attempted to flee the scene on foot with Johnson.

Both were arrested a short time later.

The officer was uninjured and did not fire his service pistol during the incident, authorities said.

The driver of the other vehicle, a 51-year-old woman from Kailua-Kona, did not require medical attention.

An investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Hawaii Police Department at (808) 935-3311. For those who want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.