Robert Dumuran, suspect in IED case, postpones preliminary hearing to September | News, Sports, Jobs

Photos courtesy of FBI On August 8, 2024, MPD and FBI agents responded to an area near Old Haleakala Highway and Aeloa Road in Pukalani after it was reported that an explosion had caused a car crash. A witness on the scene reported observing a flash similar to lightning and feeling the ground shake as if it were an earthquake. The witness reported seeing a white Kia Sportage (pictured) hit by concrete on the road; the concrete appeared to be from an explosion.

WAILUKU – Robert Dumuran, 47, who is being held without bail at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges of possession of an unregistered explosive device and attempted damage to property affecting interstate commerce with an explosive.

Dumuran's preliminary hearing, scheduled for August 27, has been postponed to September 10, delaying his scheduled hearing in U.S. District Court by 14 days.

Robert Francis Dumaran, 47, was arrested on August 10 on a federal warrant, according to the Maui Police Department booking log. Photo courtesy

“The defendant (Dumuran) needs additional time beyond September 9, 2024 to prepare and further consult with his counsel and to have sufficient time to review case-related materials and his possible options,” The reason for the continuation is stated in the court documents.

The criminal complaint related to the charges against Dumuran was not initially available to the public, but a motion for partial disclosure of the case files was filed, which was granted by U.S. Justice of the Peace Kenneth J. Mansfield on August 13.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint filed with the court on August 10 by FBI Special Agent Alicia Hansen, Dumuran was ultimately arrested through fingerprints left on clear tape used in the construction of an explosive device that the Maui Police Department (MPD) obtained and sent to an FBI laboratory for analysis. The explosive device that had the prints on it was discovered by the MPD on the road near Kahului Elementary School at 7:51 a.m. on July 23.

On July 23, 2024, officers with the Maui Police Department encountered an explosive device (pictured) near Lono Avenue in Kahului, Hawaii. The device was located on the street next to Kahului Elementary School. The device contained explosives, a battery, and shrapnel.

In addition to the fingerprints recovered on July 23, data from cell tower operators on Maui also indicated that Dumuran's prepaid cell phone was located near Kahului Elementary at approximately 7:00 a.m. on July 23.

The criminal complaint mentions two additional incidents that occurred on August 7 and 8.

According to the criminal complaint “On August 7, 2024, MPD officers encountered multiple IEDs near Kaamana Street in Kula, Hawaii. MPD determined that several IEDs had been detonated along the street. Several of these were similar to the IED found on July 23, 2024.”

On August 7, 2024, MPD officers encountered multiple IEDs near Kaamana Street in Kula, Hawaii. MPD determined that several IEDs had been detonated along the street. Several were similar to the IED found on July 23, 2024.

According to court documents, on August 8, 2024, MPD and FBI agents responded to an area near Haleakala Highway and Aeloa Road in Pukalani after reports of a car crash caused by an explosion.

“A witness at the scene reported seeing lightning and feeling the ground shake as if there was an earthquake. The witness reported seeing a white Kia Sportage hit by concrete on the road; the concrete appeared to have come from an explosion. The witness reported the Kia Sportage appeared to lift off the ground.” says the probable cause statement.

Data obtained from Google showed that an email address of “Bobby Dumaran” is the recovery email for the prepaid cell phone that was pinged near Kahului Elementary on July 23. Google data also confirmed that the email was active and in use on an Android device on August 9, 2024.

Data from Verizon Wireless indicated an exchange of text messages with an unnamed third party regarding the explosions. It was also revealed that the cell phone “approximately five miles west of Kaamana Street in Kula, Hawaii, on August 5, 2024 (two days before the IEDs were discovered at this location).”

“I think I need to set off some explosions to make myself feel better.”

A third party responded a minute later, according to court documents: “What do you want to do with detonating the grenade?”.

“Neva has not found a target yet…”

According to the indictment “In January 2022, MPD executed search warrants related to Dumaran. In executing these warrants, MPD found custom-made fireworks, ammunition, controlled substances, and components that could be used to build explosive devices in Dumaran's residence. In connection with this operation, law enforcement obtained Dumaran's fingerprints.”

Dumaran was free on bail for two separate cases in Second Circuit Court at the time of the January 2022 search. Dumaran was free on $2 bail for three pending felony charges filed in June 2019 and 14 charges from a February 2020 case. Dumaran is due to appear in Second Circuit Court in Wailuku on Nov. 22 for the three felony charges and Sept. 30 for the 14 charges.

According to court documents, Dumaran is listed as an heir in an ongoing probate proceeding that was initiated in May 2023 over the estate of his son, Tre' P. Evans-Dumaran. Evans-Dumaran died on January 27, 2023, after responding to flooding during a severe weather event in Kihei while serving as a firefighter for the County of Maui.