Hilo Robbery Suspect Arrested

Jason Keaulana Kala. HPD photo.

Hawaiʻi Island police have charged 31-year-old Hilo resident Jason Keaulana Kala in connection with a robbery over the weekend in Hilo.

At about 3:30 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 24, a 24-year-old Pa‘auilo man reported that shortly after 11 p.m. Friday, he was accosted by two men at the rear of a business on the 300 block of Kīlauea Avenue.

The two suspects reportedly assaulted the victim and removed several items from him before fleeing the area. The victim sustained minor injuries during the assault but declined medical treatment.

Officers canvassing the area discovered video surveillance footage at a business establishment, and they observed two suspects fitting the description of the assailants.

At 5:10 p.m. Saturday, police arrested Kala, who has no permanent address, on suspicion of robbery. He was taken to the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

At 10:50 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, after conferring with prosecutors, detectives charged Kala with second-degree robbery. His bail was set at $5,000. He remained at the cellblock until his initial court appearance on Monday, Sept. 26.

Police ask anyone with any information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Todd Pataray at 961-2382 or [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.