Man charged in Hilo shopping center robbery

Hawaii Island police have charged a Hilo man who was arrested in connection with a robbery Wednesday at a store in Hilo.

At 11:46 a.m. Wednesday, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a report of a robbery outside a department store at a shopping center on Puainako Street. Hawaii Police Department officers determined that a man had entered the store and concealed merchandise in his backpack. He then exited the store without paying for the items.

When a 23-year-old store employee approached the suspect, the suspect struck the employee in the head with a closed fist and then left the area on foot heading toward another shopping area across Makaala Street, according to police.

The victim did not require medical assistance.

Officers were able to locate a man matching the suspect’s description in the parking lot of the second shopping area. After further investigation, he was arrested and taken to the Hilo police cellblock, where he was identified as 26-year-old Lance A. Ulep of Hilo, who was wanted on a bench warrant for violating probation in another case.

At 8:20 p.m. Thursday, detectives charged him with second-degree robbery, third-degree theft, third-degree assault and second-degree criminal trespass. He was released into the custody of Hawaii Community Correctional Center after his bail was set at $6,250.