The Maui News

WAILUKU — A man allegedly tried to grab a police officer’s gun while being arrested Wednesday evening in a Kihei neighborhood.

Clifford Mills, 40, was charged with first-degree criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and attempted third-degree assault.

At 5:18 p.m. Wednesday, police were investigating a report that Mills had broken into a unit at a residence on Keala Place in Kihei and appeared to be staying there without permission, according to a declaration filed in court to support the charges. At 5:50 p.m., after officers located Mills nearby on Anapa Place, he allegedly pushed, shoved and threw a punch at an officer.

Mills was tasered and fell to the ground when he grabbed part of the officer’s gun holster in an attempt to reach the gun, according to the declaration. The officer suffered an abrasion on the inside of his upper left arm.

During the defendant’s initial appearance Thursday in Wailuku District Court, Deputy Prosecutor Mica Metter asked for bail to remain at $9,000 for Mills. She said he is charged with first-degree burglary and second-degree assault in a pending case and had been released after posting $2,000 cash bail when he was arrested Wednesday night.

Deputy Public Defender William Pannell asked for Mills to be released on supervision or on his own recognizance.

Judge Blaine Kobayashi said such release would be inappropriate.

Based on Mills’ pending charges and the new allegations, “the court believes the defendant at this time definitely poses a serious risk to the safety of our community,” Kobayashi said.

Mills was ordered to stay away from the residence on Keala Place where the trespassing occurred.