A Hawaiian man has been detained after fingerprints were found on a homemade bomb near an elementary school, raising concerns about public safety and the threat of domestic terrorism.
At a Glance
- Robert Francis Dumaran, 47, arrested for possessing an unregistered destructive device and attempting to damage property with explosives
- Improvised Explosive Device (IED) discovered near Kahului Elementary School on July 23, 2024
- Dumaran’s fingerprints found on packing tape used to construct the IED
- Multiple IED incidents reported across Maui, including detonations and vehicle damage
- If convicted, Dumaran faces up to 30 years in prison
Homemade Bomb Threat in Paradise
In a shocking turn of events that has rattled the typically tranquil island of Maui, law enforcement officials have apprehended 47-year-old Robert Francis Dumaran of Kahului for his alleged involvement in a series of homemade bomb incidents and discoveries. The arrest came after Dumaran’s fingerprints were found on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) discovered near Kahului Elementary School, highlighting the grave danger posed to our communities and innocent children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii reported that Dumaran appeared in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield on charges of possessing an unregistered destructive device and attempting to damage property with an explosive. This arrest comes amid a recent spate of IED incidents across the island.
A Pattern of Destruction
The IED linked to Dumaran was discovered on July 23, 2024, near Lono Avenue in Kahului, disturbingly close to an elementary school. This device, containing explosive powder, a battery, and shrapnel, was just one of several identified by authorities. Additional incidents include detonations near Kaamana Street in Kula and an explosion that damaged a vehicle in Pukalani, painting a troubling picture of widespread threat to public safety.
What’s particularly concerning is the apparent intent behind these acts. Text conversations between Dumaran and an unidentified third party revealed his chilling motivation: “Think I gotta go set off sum explosions… make me feel better,” Dumaran allegedly wrote. This cavalier attitude towards such dangerous acts underscores the threat posed by individuals who show disregard for the safety and well-being of their fellow citizens.
A History of Trouble
Dumaran’s arrest didn’t come as a complete surprise to those familiar with his history. In January 2022, he was investigated when police found custom fireworks, ammunition, and other IED components in his home. This previous encounter allowed authorities to obtain his fingerprints, which proved crucial in linking him to the recent IED discoveries.
Moreover, Dumaran’s criminal history includes charges of terroristic threatening, abuse, and criminal property damage, as well as open state criminal cases from 2020 and 2021 related to drug charges. This pattern of behavior raises serious questions about the effectiveness of our justice system in preventing repeat offenders from escalating their crimes.
Court Proceedings
The preliminary hearing for Dumaran is set for August 27, and he has been ordered held without bond. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison for possessing an unregistered destructive device and a minimum of five years and up to 20 years for the explosives charge.
Sources
- Man seeking to make himself ‘feel better’ left improvised bombs near elementary schools and on highways, feds say
- Hawaiian man charged after police discover homemade bomb near Maui school
