Maui man arrested in connection with improvised explosive device; makes initial court appearance

A Maui man made his initial appearance in US District Court today following his arrest on a criminal complaint for “possessing an unregistered destructive device and attempting to damage property by means of explosives.”

Robert Francis Dumaran, 47, of Kahului, Maui, appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kenneth J. Mansfield.

The complaint and affidavit allege that on July 23, 2024, Maui Police Department officers encountered an improvised explosive device (IED) near Lono Ave. in Kahului. The IED was in the roadway by Kahului Elementary School. According to the complaint, the IED contained explosive powder, a battery and shrapnel.

The complaint alleges that Dumaran’s fingerprints were recovered from packing tape used to build the IED.

The affidavit also mentions the recovery of detonated IEDs near Kaʻamana Street in Kula on Aug. 7, and the explosion of an IED and resulting damage to a car in Pukalani on Aug. 8. The complaint does not charge Dumaran in connection with either of those events.

Read more: Maui Now