MEDIA RELEASE

Natasha Robina Nihipali

Big Island police arrested a 33-year-old Puna woman Tuesday (March 22) and charged her with assaulting a police officer and other offenses.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section charged Natasha Robina Nihipali of Mountain View with first-degree assault against a law enforcement officer, first-degree terroristic threatening, resisting arrest and two traffic violations. Her bail was set at $5,500.

The charges stemmed from an incident in which Nihipali called police to report an intoxicated man walking in the middle of the road in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Upon arrival, responding officers contacted Nihipali, who appeared intoxicated and confronted the officers.

She allegedly grabbed the hair of a 35-year-old female officer. The five-year veteran officer with the Police Department was injured when Nihipali pulled so hard during the assault that hair was removed from the officer’s scalp. The officer was treated by a physician for her injuries.

Nihipali is being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending her initial court appearance in south Hilo District Court, which was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon (March 23).