43-year-old’s bomb threat causes evacuation of Hilo shopping center

Hilo patrol officers evacuated a retail shopping center in the 100 block of East Puainako Street on Tuesday afternoon due to a bomb threat.

A man, identified as 43-year-old Ebn Wandell of Hilo, had walked into a management office and stated he had a bomb in the bag he was carrying. Wandell left the bag in the office and ran away, according to Hawaiʻi Island police.

The department’s Bomb Squad was called, determining that the bag was empty.

Wandell later returned to the property, where police arrested him. He later was charged with second-degree terroristic threatening.

His bail is set at $1,000. Wandell remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance on Jan. 26 in Hilo District Court.
 
Anyone who may have further information on this incident is encouraged to contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or contact Officer Greg Matias via email at greg.matias @hawaiicounty.gov.
 
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.