Police have charged one of two men arrested for a violent robbery early Tuesday outside the Denny’s Restaurant in Kailua-Kona.
Police have charged one of two men arrested for a violent robbery early Tuesday outside the Denny’s Restaurant in Kailua-Kona.
At 5 p.m. Wednesday, detectives charged 28-year-old Randall Todd Chase of Kailua-Kona with first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, assault, two counts of third-degree theft, promoting a dangerous drug, marijuana possession, and possessing drug paraphernalia. His bail was set at $40,250.
Chase was arraigned Thursday morning in Kona District Court and was ordered to return at 10 a.m. Monday for a preliminary hearing.
The other suspect, 43-year-old Nohea Gene Heinicke of Kailua-Kona, was released to the custody of the Department of Public Safety on a probation violation charge. He has not been charged with the robbery, but investigation continues.
Police responded to a 1:57 a.m. report and determined an acquaintance had reportedly approached two Kailua-Kona men, ages 25 and 23. The suspect then reportedly struck the 25-year-old in the head, arms and legs with a blunt object and stole both their backpacks. The assailant then left the area in a black sedan being driving by a second man.
The 25-year-old victim was taken to Kona Community Hospital with serious head injuries and later transferred to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu, where he remains in stable condition. The 23-year-old victim was uninjured.
A short time later, police located a car matching the description of the suspects’ car and learned that the sole occupant, Heinicke, was wanted on a bench warrant.