A former nurse's aide at a retirement center in Kahala has been charged with five counts of third-degree sexual assault for allegedly fondling three elderly women suffering from dementia who were under his care.

Bail for Mark Genetiano, 24, of Kalihi, has been set at $250,000.

Genetiano, who was fired as a certified nursing assistant at the Kahala Nui retirement community, was arrested Wednesday.

Two of the alleged victims are 92 years old; the other is 89.

Investigators believe Genetiano fondled the three while they were patients at Kahala Nui's skilled nursing center between May 1 and June 1.

According to a police statement filed in court in connection with Genetiano's arrest, three of Genetiano's co-workers reported that he pinched the patients' nipples either while they were changing clothes or were in the bathroom.

Co-workers said the women tried to fend off Genetiano's advances by waving their arms and yelling at him to stop, but Genetiano merely laughed in response, the police statement said.

Three of Genetiano's co-workers said they saw the incidents and described them to police, the statement said.

One of the co-workers told police that all three victims have dementia and are unable to recall the events.

Genetiano was arrested at the facility about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Genetiano has no criminal history in Hawai'i, court records show.