Man wanted in connection with assault

KAILUA-KONA — A 34-year-old Kona man remains on the run following a Monday morning assault at a Kaiminani Drive home that sent two to the hospital.

Drew Ikaika Camacho is wanted by law enforcement in connection with the 8:40 a.m. incident, which is being investigated as a felony assault, said Hawaii Police Department Maj. Robert Wagner. The suspect, who is described as being 5 feet, 11 inches tall with short black hair and brown eyes, has numerous tattoos on both arms and about his body.

Camacho is considered armed and dangerous, and police caution the public not to approach him, but instead to call 9-1-1 if he is seen.

The 34-year-old reportedly came to the home at 73-1392 Kaiminani Drive without the knowledge of the residents, a 42-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, according to Wagner. The three are acquaintances, and Camacho had previously been to the residence.

Wagner said that Camacho apparently assaulted the woman before the man intervened and was also assaulted. The woman reportedly suffered injuries to her head while the man suffered injuries to his head and shoulder area.

Both were taken by medics to Kona Community Hospital for treatment.

“It looks like they will be OK,” Wagner said.

Police declined to provide additional details regarding the injuries or how they were inflicted, but did confirm that weapons were used in the incident. One weapon used in the crime was recovered at the scene while the suspect appears to have fled with another, said Wagner.

Police say Camacho was last seen leaving the scene in a black 1998 Honda Civic sedan that has graffiti writing on it. The vehicle bears plate No. ZCG-186. A second person was with the suspect but stayed inside the vehicle.

“Only the suspect participated in the assault,” said Wagner.

The home, located makai of Malu Place, is a two-story structure with a two-car garage facing the roadway. Trees along Kaiminani Drive obscure much of the view of the light tan-colored home with white trim and a brown shingled roof.

Neighbors declined to comment on the record for fear of reprisal but told West Hawaii Today the home has been a nuisance for several years. They relayed stories of disturbances there and people coming and going at all times of the day and night. Several neighbors noted that reports have been made to police regarding the home.

“That house has been a problem for years. There’s constant drug problems all the time there,” said one neighbor who was hopeful the incident would result in the place being cleaned up.

Another neighbor told the newspaper that they heard a fracas coming from the home around 8:30 a.m. Monday, but didn’t initially think too much of it because domestic incidents happen there “a lot.” The resident said the disturbance sounded like “two guys” yelling and screaming profanities.

“There’s always stuff happening over there. That house is a pain in the ass,” the resident said.

The neighbor did take a look outside and noticed a black Honda Civic with purple graffiti or stickers on it in the driveway. A man then came running from the home to the vehicle before the Honda pulled out and headed up Kaiminani Drive. Two people were inside the vehicle, the neighbor said.

At the time of Monday’s incident, Camacho was sought on a $5,000 bench warrant issued Oct. 10 for violating conditions of a deferred acceptance of a guilty plea stemming from a drug case brought against him earlier this year.

In that case, which was filed in May in 3rd Circuit Court, Camacho pleaded guilty on Sept. 19 to one count third-degree promoting a dangerous drug, according to court records.

In exchange, Camacho was given a four-year deferred acceptance of his guilty plea, which includes the provision that if all conditions of the sentence are met, the court shall later dismiss the charge against the defendant. The conditions included serving one year in jail with credit for 13 days served and the remaining 352 days suspended, in addition to paying fees, all of which were waived.