Manhunt underway on Big Island for 27-year-old who escaped from correctional center

A manhunt is underway on the Big Island for 27-year-old Dyllan Paulo-Leslie, who escaped Friday night from the Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center in Hilo, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Public Safety.

Paulo-Leslie was at the facility awaiting trial for first-degree attempted murder of a police officer, robbery, firearms charges, drug charges and a slew of other charges.

He was last seen on Waiānuenue Avenue at 7:15 p.m. on foot headed toward Downtown Hilo. He is 5 feet, 11 inches tall, 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing gray sweatpants and sweatshirt.

Preliminary reports indicate Paulo-Leslie escaped from inmate housing, scaled the razor wire fence on the Waiānuenue Avenue side of the facility.

State Sheriffs and Hawaiʻi Police were immediately notified. Staff ordered an immediate headcount and lockdown. How he escaped will be part of an internal investigation, according to a news release from the state department of Public Safety, which oversees the correctional facility.   

In November, a grand jury indicted Paulo-Leslie on 24 charges stemming from a Nov. 10 incident in Kona. He was allegedly involved in an armed robbery, car crash and shooting at a police officer.

Paulo-Leslie is considered dangerous. If anyone sees him or has information on his whereabouts, do not approach him, contact 911 or police dispatch at 808-935-3311 or sheriff dispatch at 808-586-1352.