20-year-old Keaau man charged in Hilo shopping center robbery

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A 20-year-old man has been charged in connection with a robbery at a Hilo shopping center last month.

Read more Police search for missing Nuuanu woman with onset of dementia

Hawai‘i Island police have arrested and charged 20-year-old Bronson Kaena Histo of Kea‘au for robbery and theft offenses stemming from an incident at a Hilo shopping mall.

On April 28, at 4:35 p.m., officers responded to a shopping center in the 100 block of Puainako St for a theft at a kiosk within the mall.

Police determined that a male suspect removed jewelry from the kiosk and attempted to leave without paying.

When confronted by a sales clerk, the man used force against her, causing minor injuries before fleeing on foot with the stolen merchandise.

Read more HPD investigating possible shots fired after large Waianae fight

Detectives continued the investigation and positively identified Histo as the suspect. An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained.

On Saturday, May 23, Histo was arrested in Puna on the strength of the warrant. After conferring with the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, he was charged with second-degree robbery and second-degree theft

His total bail was set at $15,000.

Histo was also arrested and charged for an unrelated outstanding bench warrant for failure to appear. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday in Hilo District Court.

Police ask anyone who may have information about the April 28 incident to please contact Detective David Poohina of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2385, or via email at [email protected].

Read more Two separate elderly deaths in 2 days prompt investigation in Pahoa