47 year-old Walter Gomes of Puna was arrested and charged with armed robbery, terroristic threatening, and firearms offenses following a recent armed robbery in Kona.
According to police, Gomes brandished a firearm upon the owner of a Toyota Corolla before taking the vehicle. Gomes was arrested the next day after the car was observed within the Parker Ranch Center parking lot.
Yesterday, Gomes made his initial Kona District Court appearance where his bail was maintained at $293,000.00 and he was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing today.
As the Complaint alleges, Gomes is charged with Robbery in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree (theft of a motor vehicle), Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree, Carrying or Use of Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony, Carrying or Possessing a Loaded Firearm on a Public Highway, Place to Keep Loaded Firearms Other Than Pistols and Revolvers, Ownership, Possession, or Control of Firearm or Ammunition Prohibited, Ownership Prohibited (shotgun with a barrel length less than eighteen inches), two counts of Ownership Prohibited (active temporary restraining order), Place to Keep Ammunition, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer in the Second Degree, and Criminal Property Damage in the Fourth Degree. The most serious offenses, Robbery in the First Degree and Carrying or Use of Firearm in the Commission of a Separate Felony, are both class A felony offenses and carry a penalty of a twentyyear prison term.
If convicted as charged, Prosecutors have provided notice that Gomes may be subject to a mandatory prison term and not be eligible for probation.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf.
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