KAILUA-KONA — The minister of the Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission in Holualoa is at home recovering after a reported robbery Wednesday left him with numerous abrasions to his head, neck and elbows.
The suspect in the incident, 22-year-old Kyle Arellano, was arrested on first-degree suspicion of robbery and was being detained as of Thursday afternoon at the Kona Police Station cell block pending further investigation, police said.
Police on Wednesday responded to a report of robbery on Mamalahoa Highway in Holualoa, where they learned that a 71-year-old man noticed a green sedan in front of a building.
As the victim questioned two women who were in the sedan, said Hawaii Police Department’s Maj. Robert Wagner, an unknown male came from behind and struck him several times before demanding the victim’s shoulder bag.
After the victim turned over his bag to the assailant, the suspect got into the sedan and drove away. Police said the victim sustained several abrasions but didn’t require immediate medical attention.
Karen Hasegawa, a member of the mission, later identified the location as the Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission and the victim as the Rev. Masaaki Miyazaki. Miyazaki referred questions from West Hawaii Today to Hasegawa.
She said after the minister handed over his bag, he ran downhill back toward Holualoa town, calling for help, and was able to get the attention of some landscape workers.
“They were really nice. They helped him out and everything,” Hasegawa said, noting that the workers were able to witness the fleeing vehicle.
Thursday morning, police learned that the suspect was reportedly operating a 2007 Honda Accord thought to have been recently stolen from the area of Honokohau Harbor.
At about 10:40 a.m., Arellano was apprehended off Highway 190 in a ranch area in Hualalai, police said. Detectives also are investigating other incidents possibly involving the man. Wagner said no belongings, which were valued at about $800, were recovered.
Wagner also said police identified the two women who were in the green sedan, which also was recovered.
“The two women were cooperative, and came to the police station after the incident and reported what occurred,” he said. “The two women at this time are not suspects for the robbery.”
