A wanted man police described as “armed and dangerous” led officers on a Friday night pursuit in Hilo that resulted in two officers’ taxpayer-subsidized vehicles being rammed and one of the officers going to the hospital for treatment of his injuries, according to court documents filed by police.
Shilo Brent, a 42-year-old Glenwood man, is charged with three counts of first-degree assault of a police officer, reckless driving, resisting an order to stop, three firearms offenses, three counts of failure to give information and render aid, two counts of property damage, driving without a license, leaving the scene after striking an unattended vehicle, three counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, auto theft and first- and second-degree theft.
Brent made his initial appearance Monday in Hilo District Court. Judge Harry Freitas maintained Brent’s $187,000 bail and ordered him to return at 2 p.m. Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.
According to documents, at about 10:45 p.m. Friday, Officer Jerome Duarte spotted Brent, who was sought on a warrant for auto theft and firearms offenses, at the wheel of a black Toyota RAV4 sport-utility vehicle in the parking lot of the Life Care Center of Hilo on Kawailani Street. When Duarte activated his blue lights and siren, Brent allegedly took off, and the pursuit was on.
Police say that near Kilauea Avenue, Brent intentionally swerved in front of Duarte’s vehicle, causing a collision, and near West Palai Street, Brent slammed his brakes, causing Duarte to rear-end Brent’s SUV.
At that point, Officer Gibson Kahele joined the pursuit, documents state, and Brent allegedly rammed Kahele’s vehicle as well.
Police say Brent ditched his car in an empty lot on Makalika Street in the Panaewa area of Hilo and ran into the woods. Officers searched the area and found and arrested Brent.
According to documents, Duarte went to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of his injuries and was diagnosed with a neck sprain and a headache related to the sprain. Kahele complained of a sore back and shoulders.
Duarte’s vehicle sustained major damage from the two collisions, documents state, while Kahele’s vehicle sustained minor damage, according to police.
A search warrant on the SUV allegedly resulted in the discovery of packets containing methamphetamine and a glass pipe with meth residue.
Police say the other charges stem from two search warrants served on Brent’s Kaleponi Drive residence in Fern Forest subdivision on April 16 and April 26, which netted a stolen 2005 Ford F-350 diesel pickup truck, a stolen white Toyota pickup truck and a sawed-off Stevens Savage model 5100 double-barreled 12 gauge shotgun.
The warrants resulted in the arrests of three other individuals.
The Toyota was stolen from a woman who paid Brent $400 to repair it, documents state, while the Ford was reportedly taken from the parking lot of the Hilo Target store.
According to documents, Brent fled the Fern Forest home when police arrived to execute the first search warrant.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
