Police: Barricade suspect threw bottles, tried to start fire in store
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Honolulu police released new details in a barricade incident that triggered the evacuation of a busy store Wednesday night.
Just after 5 p.m., police responded to reports of a man throwing liquor bottles and damaging property at the Don Quijote store on Kaheka Street.
Upon their arrival, police said officers observed the suspect, Karon Hayes, 34, in a storage room where he attempted to set a small box on fire, but was unsuccessful.
Police said Hayes refused to comply with commands to exit the room and barricaded himself within the storage room.
Responding units evacuated the store of its remaining customers, set a perimeter, and secured the store while waiting for the Specialized Services Division (SSD) to respond.
Dozens of people waited in the parking lot — a mix of shoppers whose search for bargains and holiday gifts got interrupted, those arriving to shop, and employees.
Many only heard about what happened, or were caught by surprise by the huge police presence surrounding the building.
Customer Sun Stone said, “We came to go grocery shopping and all these police cars are here. Sounds like the whole police station in all of Honolulu are here.”
HPD’s Crisis Negotiation Team attempted to make contact with the suspect, police said.
At around 10:08 p.m., police said Hayes was taken into custody and arrested for criminal property damage in the second degree.
The damages to the store and property were estimated to be over $7,000, according to police.
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