Two police officers were injured Friday afternoon after they caught a man and a woman in the act of burglarizing a Puna home and putting their ill-gotten gain into a stolen sedan, according to court documents.
As the alleged burglars tried to escape by reversing the vehicle, Puna patrol officers Robert Keffer and Jeremy Riddle were struck by the driver’s side door of the car, documents state. Both officers reportedly fell to the ground and were dragged several yards, sustaining minor injuries to their arms and legs that required treatment.
The incident allegedly took place at a residence on Puni Mauka Loop North in Hawaiian Beaches subdivision.
The alleged driver, 32-year-old Jessie K. Campbell of Pahoa, and passenger, 22-year-old Destiny Kaleiwahea of Volcano, fled on foot after the car became lodged in an embankment on the property. They were apprehended a short time later after a brief foot chase.
A search warrant was executed on the car, a silver 2011 Toyota Corolla reportedly stolen on the evening of Oct. 9 from Banyan Way in Hilo. Items allegedly taken from the home burglary were found in the sedan.
Campbell was charged with two counts of first-degree assault of a police officer and one count each of first-degree burglary and driving a stolen vehicle. His bail was set at $55,000.
Kaleiwahea was charged with first-degree burglary and unrelated traffic warrants. Her bail on the burglary charge was set at $5,000.
Both made separate initial appearances Monday in Hilo District Court.
Campbell’s court-appointed attorney, Ivan Van Leer, asked Judge Harry Freitas to reduce his client’s bail.
“He’s a lifelong resident of the island, and I don’t believe he’s a flight risk,” Van Leer said.
“I guess I’m more concerned with the safety of the community,” Freitas replied. “Is he on probation right now?”
“Yes he is, Your Honor,” replied Deputy Prosecutor Glenn Shiigi, who added Campbell’s probation is for a felony drug conviction.
“In addition, he has a another promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree charge in Circuit Court. … In any event, he definitely violated terms of his bail or release,” Shiigi said.
The judge maintained Campbell’s bail at its current level and ordered him to appear for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Thursday. He reduced bail for Kaleiwahea, who has no prior felony convictions, to $2,000 and ordered her to appear for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
The most serious charge, first-degree burglary, is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
