Kona robbery victim could have died, officer testifies

Without medical treatment, Thomas Bower, the 25-year-old victim of a violent robbery last week in Kailua-Kona, could have died, a Kona patrol officer testified Monday during a partial preliminary hearing for suspect Randall T. Chase.

That’s what Hawaii Police Department Officer Jason Foxworthy said Kona Community Hospital Dr. Michael Beshoner told him verbally and in writing about Bower, who reportedly suffered a skull fracture, concussion and internal bleeding as a result of the May 27 robbery outside Denny’s on Henry Street.

Foxworthy met with Bower, who remains hospitalized on Oahu, as well as photographed the injuries to his head, right wrist and left shin. The officer said the injuries appeared to be “defensive wounds.”

During the interview about the incident, Foxworthy said Bower had slurred speech and tried to be cooperative, but struggled because of his serious head injury and ended up apologizing for giving wrong information. Foxworthy gave an example of Bower mistakenly giving his Social Security number when asked for his date of birth.

Despite these challenges, Bower clearly recalled the events leading up to the assault and robbery, as well as identified Chase as the acquaintance who repeatedly hit him with a blunt object and stole his backpack, containing video game equipment and other items, Foxworthy said. Prior, Bower and Chase had an argument, which police said involved a computer and Chase needing money.

Chase is facing first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, first-degree assault, two counts of third-degree theft, promoting a third-degree dangerous drug, promoting a third-degree detrimental drug and possessing drug paraphernalia charges in connection with the incident.

The 28-year-old appeared before 3rd Circuit District Court Judge Joseph P. Florendo for his preliminary hearing Monday, when the state tried to prove there was enough evidence to justify further criminal proceedings against the accused. Florendo continued the proceedings until Friday after granting Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kimberly Taniyama’s request for a delay so that other key witnesses, including Beshoner and Andrew Sandeen, a friend of Bower who was with him during the alleged robbery, could testify.

When Kona Patrol Officer Coley Rowe arrived at the scene he testified he found Bower holding an ice pack to his head and Sandeen uninjured. He said Bower had difficulty gathering his thoughts, was slurring and drooling. Rowe also noted how Bower’s health and thinking seemed to get progressively worse.

Though Bower refused medical treatment, he was taken to Kona Community Hospital, Rowe testified. He was later transported to an Oahu hospital for treatment.

The officer further stated that Bower named Chase as the assailant. During the assault, Bower allegedly plead for Chase to stop hitting him with an expandable baton and to not take his backpack, as well as asked, “Why are you hitting me?” Sandeen also had his backpack stolen.

Through their investigation, police learned Chase left the area in a flat black two-door sedan driven by a local male with a stocky build, who was between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-7, and weighed about 170 pounds. Police were also told Chase was staying in a warehouse next to a furniture place near Costco.

Rowe said he headed to Maiau Street and spotted the vehicle matching the victims’ descriptions, which was driven by 43-year-old Nohea Heinicke of Kailua-Kona, who was wanted on a bench warrant. Detectives are still continuing to investigate his role in the robbery.

Defense attorney Dawn Henry asked Rowe if a baton or the backpacks were found in the vehicle. Rowe said he wasn’t there during a vehicle search. He also named other police officers who participated in the investigation, as well as revealed the suspects were confirmed by separate photographic lineups by Sandeen and Bower.

Chase’s preliminary hearing will resume at 10 a.m. Friday in District Court.