A search warrant executed on a shoulder bag carried by a woman accused of a violent shoplifting incident Monday morning at Malama Market in Pahoa turned up a black pellet pistol with a CO2 cartridge that resembled a real semi-automatic pistol, according to court documents filed by police.
The search of the bag confiscated from 24-year-old Isabella Gonzales of Waimea also found a bottle of Grey Goose vodka valued at $47.99, a 375-milliliter bottle of Aloha Awamori Chili Pepper Spirit valued at $20.49, and a partially full 1.5-liter bottle of Karkov vodka.
Gonzales on Monday was spotted by store manager Jeff Graper removing two bottles of what he thought was vodka from the shelf and putting them in her bag, according to police.
At about 8:55 a.m., Graper made contact with Gonzales and told her what he saw, whereupon Gonzales slapped the 55-year-old store manager with an open hand to the left side of his face, documents state.
She then allegedly walked past manned cash registers and left the store without paying.
According to police, Gonzales returned to the store, threatened Graper, store employee Leland Quintal and other employees with the black handgun.
The 39-year-old Quintal told police Gonzales pointed the pistol at him, causing him to fear for his life, documents state.
Graper then initiated active shooter protocols and locked down the store, at which time Gonzales allegedly struck the glass front door with the handgun and brandished the weapon in a threatening manner.
Gonzales was arrested at 9:13 a.m. Monday on Kahakai Boulevard in Pahoa. She was charged Tuesday with first-degree robbery and first-degree terroristic threatening.
At Gonzales’ initial court appearance Wednesday, Deputy Public Defender Evans Smith requested she be freed on court-supervised release without monetary bail, drawing an objection from Deputy Prosecutor Lea Cooper.
Hilo District Judge Kimberly Taniyama denied the motion for supervised release, but reduced Gonzales’ bail from $55,000 to $10,000 and ordered her to return Friday for a preliminary hearing.
The more serious offense, first-degree robbery, is a Class A felony punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment upon conviction.
Gonzales remained in custody late Wednesday afternoon at Hawaii Community Correctional Center.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
