Kona man facing robbery, assault charges

A 21-year-old man will stand trial on charges of assault, robbery and theft stemming from a pair of incidents in late August near Hale Halawai in Kailua Village.

Camilo Darien Moreno, of Kailua-Kona, is charged with third-degree assault, second-degree robbery and fourth-degree theft in connection with incidents reported on Monday at the Hawaii County park off Alii Drive.

He is slated to enter pleas to the offenses on Sept. 13 to the charges after District Court Judge Mahilani Hiatt found probable cause to send the case to Circuit Court. Hiatt also maintained bail at $25,250.

Shortly before 6 p.m. Monday, a 52-year-old man reported to police that while he was walking along Alii Drive, an unknown man approached him, assaulted him without provocation, and then fled the area on foot, according to the Hawaii Police Department. The victim suffered injuries but declined medical attention. He was also able to positively identify Moreno as the person who assaulted him.

Later that night at 11:15 p.m., a 36-year-old woman reported that as she was walking along Alii Drive she was unexpectedly assaulted, causing her to fall to the ground. The unknown male suspect took some of her belongings without her permission and fled the area on foot, according to police.

Police on Tuesday located and apprehended Moreno without incident on Alii Drive near Hale Halawai. He was transported to the Kona police station.

Second-degree robbery is a class B felony that carries up to 10 years behind bars. Third-degree assault is a misdemeanor offense while fourth-degree theft is a petty misdemeanor.

Anyone who may have witnessed either incident should contact Detective Sheldon Nakamoto at (808) 326-4646, ext. 228, or via email at sheldon.nakamoto@hawaiicounty.gov.