KAILUA-KONA — A bail bonds agent was the victim in a hit-and-run that led to an officer-involved shooting last week in Kurtistown, an owner of a bail bonds company confirmed Monday.
The incident occurred Wednesday when two fugitive recovery agents with 4Freedom Bail Bonds set up a time to meet with Jerrilyn Rego and Larissa Naleikailama Padamada at a convenience store parking lot in Kurtistown. The meeting was arranged to buy a car from the two women then take Rego into custody, said Scot Ling, owner of the bail bonds company.
Rego is wanted on a bench warrant.
At about 10 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the scene after a request for assistance, according to a press release from the Hawaii Police Department.
Upon arriving at the scene, an officer saw a man, later confirmed to be a fugitive recovery agent, involved in a struggle with a woman near a vehicle, according to the release. The car struck the agent. He fell to the ground and disappeared from the officer’s view.
“In the process of fleeing, the suspect’s vehicle also struck the officer’s vehicle,” the release said. “In response to the imminent danger, the officer fired two shots toward the suspect’s vehicle, which was later located abandoned in the Glenwood area.”
The agent, a 54-year-old man from Keaau, was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated and released. Ling said the agent is back to work.
Police initiated a second-degree assault investigation, as well as several traffic related violations.
Padamada was found in Ka‘u and taken into custody Friday. She was questioned and released Saturday.
Authorities are still looking for Rego, who might still be in the Ka‘u district. She is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, 120 pounds with a slim build, black hair, brown eyes and a lightly tanned complexion.
Rego has numerous tattoos, including a tribal tattoo on her upper right arm, the name “Chelbie” on her outer right forearm and “Rego” on the right side of her neck.
The Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section will conduct a criminal investigation into the shooting and the Office of Professional Standards will conduct an administrative investigation.
The officer was placed on paid administrative leave.
Anyone with information about Rego’s whereabouts is asked to call Detective Dean Uyetake at 961-2379 or email him at dean.uyetake@hawaiicounty.gov.
Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.
