Posted on: Friday, March 11, 2005
Driver tried to run over officer, police say
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
A 48-year-old Big Island man was charged yesterday with one count of first-degree attempted murder after police said he drove his sport utility vehicle at a police officer Tuesday.
At about 9 p.m. Tuesday, police were searching a Waimea home when an Isuzu SUV came into the driveway, police said. Officers identified themselves and approached the vehicle, but police said it abruptly reversed, striking a fence post, warehouse and tractor before nearly running over an officer.
Police said the officer, a 23-year veteran of the force, was not injured. He did fire one shot at the fleeing vehicle, but the driver refused to stop.
Police later caught up with the SUV and its driver, identified by police as Cruz, and arrested him and a 36-year-old male passenger. During a search of the SUV, police said they recovered crystal methamphetamine, processed marijuana and narcotics paraphernalia.
If convicted of first-degree attempted murder, Cruz would face a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The passenger in the SUV was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of illegal drugs, but he was released without being charged pending further investigation.
Three men and three women who live in the Waimea home were arrested on drug charges. Police said they were released pending further investigation.
Randall L. Cruz of Waimea also was charged with resisting arrest and several drug offenses. He was being held in the Kona police station's cell block in lieu of $206,750.
Randall L. Cruz
