KAILUA-KONA — The minister of the Kona Koyasan Daishiji Mission in Holualoa is at home recovering after a reported robbery on Wednesday left him with numerous abrasions to his head, neck and elbows.
The suspect in that incident, 22-year-old Kyle Arellano, was arrested on suspicion of robbery in the first degree and was at the Kona Police Station cell block pending further investigation as of Thursday afternoon, 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 had earlier noticed a green sedan in front of a building.
As the victim spoke to the sedan’s two female occupants about them being on private property, said 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 Rev. Masaaki Miyazaki. Miyazaki referred questions from West Hawaii Today to Hasegawa.
Hasegawa 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, also noting that the workers were able to witness the fleeing vehicle.
Thursday morning, police learned the suspect was reportedly operating a 2007 Honda Accord believed to have been recently stolen from the area of Honokohau Harbor.
Around 10:40 a.m., Arellano was apprehended off Route 190 in a ranch area in Hualalai, said police. Detectives are also investigating other incidents possibly involving the man. Wagner said no belongings, which had been valued at about $800, were recovered.
Wagner also said police have identified the two women who were in the green sedan, which was also 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.”