KEALAKEKUA — A Kailua-Kona man accused of assaulting and robbing a Buddhist minister has pleaded not guilty in 3rd Circuit Court.
Kyle Arellano, 22, was in custody when he appeared before Circuit Court Judge Robert D.S. Kim Friday morning. Kim maintained bail at $49,800 and ordered an updated bail study.
A jury trial has been scheduled for May 28.
Arellano is charged with second-degree robbery of a vehicle, two counts of second-degree theft, fourth-degree theft, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree unauthorized entry into a vehicle, criminal property damage, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and drug paraphernalia in connection with the alleged crime.
The charges stem from an incident on Dec. 26 when Arellano allegedly assaulted and robbed Rev. Massaki Miyazaki at the Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission in Holualoa. The man is accused of striking and taking a bag from the 71-year-old.
On Dec. 27, Arellano was reportedly found in a stolen 2007 Honda Accord reportedly taken from Honokohau Harbor. On that same day, police also connected a car break-in at the VA Kona Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Hualalai Road to Arellano.
He was eventually taken into custody without incident on Dec. 28.
During a preliminary hearing in the case on Jan. 2, a Kona man testified his truck while parked at the clinic for an appointment was broken into. His medical marijuana card and medical marijuana had been taken as well as other items.