A 36-year-old man told police he was violently beaten Nov. 2 at King’s Landing in Keaukaha by a friend who stole the man’s pickup truck and cellphone, according to court documents.
Frankie Kimo Cruz Camacho, 29, of Hilo was arrested Friday and charged with kidnapping, second-degree robbery, second-degree assault, second-degree theft, unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle, and unauthorized control of a stolen vehicle.
Documents filed by police state the alleged victim told officers he went to King’s Landing at about 3:30 p.m. that day. The man reportedly told police that Camacho, who he knew, approached the driver’s side door of his pickup truck. The alleged victim said when he turned to shake Camacho’s hand, Camacho accused him of stealing money and punched him in the face several times.
Camacho reportedly then said, “This truck is mine,” pushed the man to the passenger’s side, grabbed the vehicle’s keys, started it up and stole the man’s iPhone from his hand.
The man said he jumped out of the passenger side of the truck as it was still moving and ran toward what he described as a “tourist vehicle” and had one of its occupants call police.
Documents state an emergency room physician at Hilo Medical Center diagnosed the man’s injuries as a broken right orbital bone and a concussion.
At Camacho’s initial court appearance Tuesday, William Heflin, Camacho’s court-appointed attorney, asked the court to “consider lowering bail in this matter to $100,000,” noting Camacho has a verified residence and contact information.
Deputy Prosecutor Chris Schlueter argued against a bail reduction, noting Camacho “is presently on felony probation for firearms charges” and because of “the level of violence alleged by the complaint.”
“He was sentenced on Oct. 30 and released on the same day,” Schlueter said. “He acquired the new charges shortly thereafter.”
Hilo District Judge Harry Freitas ordered Camacho to return for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. today. He also maintained Camacho’s bail at $210,000, adding, “We can always revisit it at the time of the preliminary hearing.”
“Thank you. Have a good day,” Camacho told the judge, who replied, “You, too, sir.”
As he was being escorted back to the holding cell by a sheriff’s deputy, Camacho looked into the courtroom gallery and said, “Cousin, bail me out. I mean it. I want you to bail me (out) by this week. Love you, babe.”
The most serious charge, kidnapping, is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment upon conviction. Second-degree robbery is a Class B felony carrying a possible 10-year prison term, while second-degree theft, second-degree assault, unauthorized control of a stolen vehicle, and unauthorized entry to a motor vehicle are Class C felonies punishable by up to five years behind bars.
Documents state Camacho has four felony convictions: first-degree unlawful imprisonment, second-degree assault, first-degree terroristic threatening, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.