Woman arrested in armed robbery

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Police have arrested a Hilo woman in connection with a robbery Thursday morning in downtown Hilo.

Police have arrested a Hilo woman in connection with a robbery Thursday morning in downtown Hilo.

Shortly after noon, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery that occurred at 11:50 a.m. at a business at the corner of Keawe Street and Furneaux Lane. They learned that a 33-year-old female employee had been accosted by a woman who displayed a handgun and demanded cash. The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of money and was seen driving away in a white pickup truck.

Through the license plate number, police determined the identity and location of the person who was driving the truck. At 12:30 p.m., they arrested 23-year-old Tia Nohealani Menino of Hilo on Makaala Street in the Hilo industrial area.

Menino is being held at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continue the investigation.

Anyone who may have witnessed the robbery is asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or to contact Detective Derek Morimoto at 961-2380 or dmorimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.