Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 21 year-old Derick Camacho of Captain Cook was charged with robbery, burglary, kidnapping, and theft in relation to an incident that occurred on July 20, 2023 at the Kahuku Gift Shop in Ocean View.
Camacho made his initial appearance in Kona District Court on Monday afternoon. Camacho, who was in custody on $250,000.00 bail, was granted supervised release over Prosecutor’s objections. Camacho was ordered to return to court on August 23, 2023 for a preliminary hearing.
As the Complaint alleges, Camacho was charged with Robbery in the First Degree (in the course of committing theft, was armed with a dangerous instrument, a knife, and used force against another person and/or threatened the imminent use of force against another person), Burglary in the Second Degree (enter or remain unlawfully in a building with the intent to commit theft), Theft in the Second Degree (exerted unauthorized control over the property of another, the value of which exceeded $750), Kidnapping (restrained another person with intent to inflict bodily injury), Kidnapping (restrained another person to use as a shield or hostage), and Attempted Unauthorized Control of a Propelled Vehicle. The most serious charges, Robbery in the First Degree and Kidnapping, are both class A felony offenses which carry a penalty of a twenty-year prison term.
The charges against Camacho stem from an incident that occurred just after 2:30 a.m. early Thursday morning at a retail establishment in Ocean View. Ka‘ū patrol officers responded to an active burglary at a business in the 92-8000 block of Māmalahoa Highwayin Ocean View and while investigating this burglary, officers were alerted to a second active burglary occurring at a nearby retail establishment.
Upon entry into this second business, officers located Camacho, who was making verbal threats and physically dragging the 61-year-old victim into a back room. Officers immediately demanded that Camacho release the victim however he refused to comply with the officers. An officer deployed the Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW), commonly known as a “taser,” and Camacho was subsequently taken into police custody.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case was initiated by Ka‘u Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Detective Cacique Melendez with assistance from Detective Len Hamakado, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
