Police arrested and charged a Pahoa man in connection with a robbery in lower Puna.
On Wednesday evening, the victims — a 29-year-old Opihikao man and his acquaintance, a 37-year-old man from California — told police that they were stopped on Kamaili Road to photograph the Kilauea eruption when they were approached by two men.
One man allegedly demanded the victims’ camera equipment, while the other man reportedly brandished a handgun. The victims relinquished their belongings and were able to drive away from the area.
No gunshots were fired and the victims were not physically injured.
When police arrived at scene, they encountered two men near a parked SUV. Police observed camera equipment inside the vehicle consistent with items described by the victims.
On Thursday morning, police arrested the two men, 50-year-old Edward Wilson of Opihikao and 55-year-old Michael Brant of Pahoa, on suspicion of second-degree theft. They were taken to the Hilo cellblock while detectives continued to investigate.
Police served a search warrant on the SUV and recovered the victims’ property, some of which was damaged.
Investigators determined Brant was not the suspect who brandished the firearm. He was released Friday afternoon pending further investigation.
Police on Friday charged Wilson with two counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree theft, one count each of use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, second-degree criminal property damage and fourth-degree criminal property damage.
The initial theft charge was upgraded from a Class C felony to a Class B felony because the incident occurred within an area covered by an emergency declaration.
Wilson remains in custody in lieu of $42,250 bail, pending his initial court appearance Monday.
Anyone who might have information about this incident is asked to call the police nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Detective William Brown at 961-2384 or William.Brown@hawaiicounty.gov.