Hawaii Island police have arrested and charged a 23-year-old Kurtistown man with multiple offenses after he allegedly assaulted a 67-year-old man and attempted to steal his vehicle.
At around 3:20 p.m. Friday, South Hilo patrol officers responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle near the entrance to Hilo Medical Center, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers learned that a man and woman had initially seen the 23-year-old man lying on the side of the roadway in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Appearing in need of assistance, the couple gave the individual — later identified as Trinton Chavez Canon — a ride to the hospital, according to police.
At the hospital, according to police, the man exited the vehicle while his wife went inside to contact staff. During that time, the 23-year-old man crawled from rear of the vehicle into the driver’s seat and began to drive away.
The victim attempted to stop the vehicle and was dragged about 25 feet distance before he and a hospital security guard were able to stop the Canon, police said. During the incident, Canon allegedly struck the victim in the back of his head. The victim also suffered scrapes and scratches while being dragged by the vehicle.
Police said the victim was treated and released from the hospital. The security guard also received scratches to his arm from the suspect and scratches to his feet from being dragged.
Canon was subsequently arrested and charged with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, second-degree robbery, second-degree reckless endangering and two counts third-degree assault.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident should contact Detective Blaine Morishita at (808) 961-2385 or via email to blaine-morishita@hawaiicounty.gov or the department’s nonemergency line at (808) 935-3311.