Puna Man Arrested and Charged for Assaulting Two Police Officers in Kea‘au

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged a 44-year-old Mountain View man in connection with assaulting two police officers following an incident that occurred at a shopping center in Kea‘au on Friday evening, Sept. 18, 2026. 

At 8:19 p.m., Puna patrol officers responded  to a disturbance call at a shopping center in the 16-500 block of Kea‘au- Pāhoa Road. While at the scene, officers were approached by 44-year-old Justin Santagati who became disorderly and aggressive towards officers and refused to comply.

Officers then placed Santagati under arrest. As they attempted to place him in the police transport vehicle Santagati became combative, head butting an officer and kicking another officer several times in the chest.

Both officers were treated and released at the Hilo Benioff Medical Center emergency room for minor injuries. Santagati was transported to the East Hawaii Detention Facility as detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation. 

After conferring with the Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney on Saturday afternoon, Sept.19,  police charged Santagati with the following offenses:

• Two counts of  first-degree assault against a law enforcement officer
• Disorderly conduct

His bail was set at $41,000. 

Police are asking for anyone with information to call Detective Michael Matsumura of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2386 or by email at Michael.Matsumura@hawaiipolice.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.