A Kona man has been charged with kidnapping and other offenses in connection with a robbery last week in Kailua-Kona, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
A Kona man has been charged with kidnapping and other offenses in connection with a robbery last week in Kailua-Kona, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Kona patrol officers responded Feb. 17 to an apartment on Lamaokeola Street in Kailua-Kona to a reported robbery.
They received information that a 37-year-old man had been visiting with a 36-year-old male friend when a male acquaintance and another man arrived uninvited brandishing a handgun and a machete. The intruders held down the two suspects, assaulted them, demanded money and marijuana and then fled on foot after taking the occupant’s wallet and 10 grams of marijuana, police said.
The occupant sustained minor cuts and scrapes to his hand and forehead. His visitor suffered redness and pain around his left eye. Both men declined medical treatment, police said.
Area II Criminal Investigations Section detectives continued the investigation.
On Feb. 20, police arrested the acquaintance, 25-year-old Alihilani Stringert of Kailua-Kona, for unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle in an unrelated case and took him to the Kona police cellblock. While he was in custody, detectives arrested him at 4:07 p.m. in connection with the robbery and continued the investigation.
Feb. 22, he was charged with kidnapping, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, second-degree theft, two counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He remained at the cellblock until his initial court appearance Monday.
The second suspect is still at large, police said. Anyone who knows his identity or has any additional information about this case should call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Jason Berryhill at 326-4646, ext. 275. Berryhill also may be reached by email at jberryhill@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.