Three men have been charged for allegedly stealing goats in South Hilo.

Ross J. Pacheco, Cody James Tony Pacheco-Dela Cruz and Jason Fiesta were charged Saturday for livestock theft, drugs and firearm-related offenses.

Pacheco and Fiesta are scheduled to appear at their preliminary hearing at South Hilo District Court today. Pacheco-Dela Cruz’s preliminary hearing is set for Mar. 30.

Police said a 38-year-old Hilo man reported culprits broke into a fenced area in Paukaa and stole seven goats Friday morning. A few hours later, the victim saw a suspicious truck traveling south on Wainaku Avenue in Kaiwiki with three goats in the truck bed, according to a court document.

Police said the victim stopped the vehicle and confronted the driver identified as Pacheco and two passengers identified as Pacheco-Dela Cruz and Fiesta. The 38-year-old man observed the goats’ distinctive horn features and identified them as the goats he bred.

He called police and officers arrested the three men.

Pacheco, 47, of Papaikou was charged with livestock theft, third-degree theft, fourth-degree theft, two counts of drug-related offenses and five counts of firearm-related offenses that include possession of a loaded firearm on the highway. He is being held in lieu of $157,000 bail.

Pacheco-Dela Cruz, 29, of Paauilo was also charged with livestock theft, two counts of drug-related offenses and possession of a loaded firearm on the highway. His bail was set at $14,000.

Fiesta, 37, of no permanent address was charged with livestock theft and two counts of drug-related offenses. He is being held in lieu of $6,000.

Police strongly advise the public to avoid confronting crime suspects because it could potentially turn into a dangerous situation.