Bank teller feared robbery suspect was armed

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HILO — A bank teller told police she thought a note handed to her during bank robbery in Hilo last week threatened the use of a semi-automatic rifle.

HILO — A bank teller told police she thought a note handed to her during bank robbery in Hilo last week threatened the use of a semi-automatic rifle.

According to court documents filed by police, the Central Pacific Bank teller told officers the suspect, 24-year-old Toby Amuimuia of Hilo, handed her a note and told her “This is my bill.” The note read “300 Billion AK4+2 Dollars.”

According to documents, the woman related “AK4” to “AK47,” a Russian-made semi-automatic rifle, and feared for her safety.

After balancing her till, she determined exactly $3,470 in cash was taken, documents state.

The teller provided details of the clothing worn by the suspect in the 9:48 a.m. incident and officers found Amuimuia about 100 yards away from the bank, which is located at 525 Kilauea Ave.

The bank employee did a drive-by with police and positively identified Amuimuia as the robber.

Police charged Amuimuia with second-degree robbery, a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and second-degree theft, a Class C felony that carries a prison term of up to five years upon conviction.

It’s not known if the cash was recovered.

Last week, Hilo District Judge Dakota Frenz granted a defense request for a mental examination for Amuimuia and ordered him to return to court at 1:30 p.m. March 14.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.