Hawaii Island police have charged 32-year-old Aina Kealoha Bill Cachero of Hilo, with several offenses following an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred late Friday morning in Hilo.
According to police, Cachero was charged Saturday with second-degree robbery, first-degree theft, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, habitual property crime and two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening.
His bail was set at $90,000.
The charges against Cachero stem from an incident reported Friday morning, when South Hilo Patrol officers responded to the 500 block of Kukuau Street in Hilo, for a report of an active vehicle theft. It was reported the suspect had entered the victim’s truck and began driving away, before being physically stopped and removed by the vehicle owner.
Responding officers were provided a description of the suspect, later identified as Cachero. Shortly later, officers located a male matching the suspect’s description walking south on Kumukoa Street.
According to reports, as officers attempted to contact the man, he immediately began to flee, at which point he was observed reaching into his waistband area, pulling out a dark-colored pistol, and turning his body towards the officers. One of the officers drew his weapon, and clear verbal commands were given by officers. The suspect ignored the officers’ commands, and one officer subsequently discharged his duty weapon, striking the suspect in the upper shoulder area, police said.
Police officers on scene immediately provided first aid to the suspect until Hawaii Fire Department medics arrived and took over. Cachero was arrested and transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated, and released shortly after 4:30 p.m. He was then transported to the Hilo Police Cellblock pending investigation.
According to police, Cachero was not charged with any firearms related crimes. The weapon he pulled from his waistband was later examined and while its appearance, size and weight were consistent with a semi-automatic handgun, the weapon Cachero used in this case was found to not be a functioning firearm.
The Office of Professional Standards has initiated a standard internal administrative investigation.
The involved officer is a five-year veteran of the department, and has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review of this incident.
In addition to the charges stemming from the incident on Friday, Cachero was also charged with several offenses from an earlier, unrelated incident reported in late January. Those charges include first-degree theft, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, habitual property crime, theft of a credit card, unauthorized possession of personal confidential information, fraudulent use of a credit card, third-degree identity theft and fourth-degree theft. Bail for those charges was set at $44,000.
According to police, the charges stem from an incident reported on Jan. 24, in which a female victim reported her apartment on Kinoole Street in Hilo was entered while she was asleep, and her purse with credit cards and car keys were removed. The victim also reported that her vehicle was stolen, and later learned that her credit cards were fraudulently used. During the course of the investigation, Cachero and 19-year-old Shayla-Rae Pomroy were identified as suspects, police said. Pomroy was arrested and charged with various offenses stemming from this incident on Jan. 26.
Cachero remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for today in Hilo District Court.