Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 30-year-old Chace Kakela Gambill with an array of firearms and drug offenses.
The charges against Gambill stem from an incident reported on Saturday, May 6, 2023, shortly after 5:00 p.m., when passing motorists observed a male carrying a rifle, walking along Highway 19 within the Ka‘awali‘i Gulch in O‘okala. Responding officers located Gambill, who matched the description provided by the callers. Upon contact with Gambill, he was not in possession of a rifle; however, officers canvassed the area, and located a shotgun hidden behind a guardrail within close proximity to Gambill.
Upon being arrested, Gambill was found in possession of ammunition of the same caliber as the recovered firearm and a glass smoking pipe with a crystal-like residue.
Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives later served a search warrant on Gambill’s fanny-pack that was on his person upon arrest, which led to the recovery of additional ammunition and .4 grams of methamphetamine.
On Monday morning, May 8, after conferring with County Prosecutors, detectives charged Gambill with the following offenses:
- place to keep firearm
- place to keep ammunition
- two-counts ownership or possession prohibited
- third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug
- drug paraphernalia
Bail was set at $71,000.
Gambill remained in police custody pending his initial court appearance on Tuesday afternoon, May 9, in Hilo District Court.