KAILUA-KONA — A 21-year-old Hilo man has been charged in connection with a violent Monday morning robbery in downtown Hilo sent a 67-year-old homeless man to the emergency room.
Elijah Lopez was charged Tuesday with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and fourth-degree theft, according to Hawaii Police. He remains in custody at Hawaii Community Correctional Center in lieu of $12,250 bail.
According to police, Lopez allegedly struck the victim in the head with an unknown object, then reportedly took the man’s belongings before fleeing on foot toward Wainaku. The attack, which was reported at about 6:40 a.m., left a sizable pool of blood in the box office alcove of the Palace Theater at 38 Haili St.
The older man was treated and released at Hilo Medical Center, police said.