Pair charged in alleged road rage incident

Police have charged two people in connection with a robbery stemming from a Monday road rage incident on Kilauea Avenue in Hilo.

At 8:49 a.m. Monday morning, officers responded to the Hilo courthouse parking for an incident involving two drivers. The alleged victim, a 53-year-old Keaau man, told police a Nissan sedan followed him into the parking lot and an argument ensued with the woman driving the sedan. The man reported that during the argument, a male passenger in the woman’s vehicle assaulted him.

During the assault, the female suspect allegedly entered the cab of the victim’s truck and stole his backpack. Both suspects then reportedly shoved the victim when he tried to retrieve his backpack, then fled in the car.

The alleged victim declined medical treatment for minor injuries.

On Tuesday, 25-year-old Chantel Takabayashi and 31-year-old Rendell Naiga, both of Pahoa, turned themselves in to police. They were charged with second-degree robbery and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

Both were released after posting $7,000 bail each and were given Dec. 19 dates in Hilo District Court.

Potential witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Jesse Kerr at 961-2382 or Jesse.Kerr@hawaiicounty.gov.