Maui IED suspect left fingerprint on explosive

An IED that was found on July 23, 2024 placed in the roadway by Kahului Elementary School. (Courtesy MPD)

HONOLULU (KHON2) — The man who was arrested on suspicion of an IED incident on Maui was identified using a fingerprint that the FBI found on tape used to build the explosive.

Forty-seven-year-old Robert Francis Dumaran, of Kahului, made his initial appearance in court on Tuesday after he was arrested on Saturday.

According to MPD, an IED was found near Lono Avenue, in the roadway by Kahului Elementary School on July 23.

Court records state, “the IED contained explosive powder, a battery, and shrapnel.”

The IED was sent to the FBI laboratory where two latent fingerprints were found on clear packing tape used to build the explosive.

The prints were those of Dumaran, according to the FBIʻs criminal complaint, and had been on record after MPD served a search warrant in January 2022 in which, “MPD located custom fireworks, ammunition, controlled substances, and componentry capable of being used to create IEDs in Dumaranʻs residence,” while executing that warrant in 2022.

Multiple IEDs were then found near Kaamana Street in Kula on Aug. 7, 2024.

“MPD determined multiple IEDs had been detonated along the roadway. Several appeared similar to the IED located on July 23, 2024.”

An IED made of pipe was detonated and damaged the guardrail it had been attached to as well as the surrounding vicinity.

A car accident occurred after another IED exploded on Aug. 8 near Old Haleakala Highway and Aeloa Road in Pukalani.

“A witness on scene reported observing a flash similar to lighting and feeling the ground shake similar to an earthquake. The witness reported seeing a white Kia Sportage get hit with concrete as it drove along the roadway; the concrete appeared to come from an explosion. The witness reported the Kia Sportage appeared to lift off the ground.”

It was determined by MPD and the FBI that “a significant quantity of high-powered explosives” caused a concrete container to explode, which then barraged the Kia as it drove by.

The FBIʻs affidavit used cell phone data to show that Dumaran was in the vicinity where IEDs were located. However, according to the U.S. Attorneyʻs Office, “the complaint does not charge Dumaran in connection” with the Aug. 7 or Aug. 8 events.

In the redacted affidavit, the following text exchange was cited.

“On Aug. 6, 2024, at approximately 12:17 a.m., the cellular telephone assigned [redacted] sent a message stating, “Think I gotta go set off sum explosions . . . . make me feel better.” A third party responded one minute later, “What u going set off the grenade one” to which [redacted] responded, at 12:21 a.m., “No Neva find a target yet . . . ”

Dumaran has been charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device, for which he could face up to 10 years in prison; and an explosives charge, which holds a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years, if convicted.

Dumaranʻs criminal history includes charges of criminal property damage, drug charges, terroristic threatening and abuse.

His preliminary court date was set for Aug. 27. Heʻs being held without bail.