Charges Filed Against Suspect in Violent Kona Robbery

Charges have been filed against one of two men arrested Tuesday in connection with a violent robbery in front of a Kona restaurant.

Randall Todd Chase, 25, was charged Wednesday with first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, assault and two counts of theft and three drug charges in connection with the incident on Henry Street.

Bail for the Kailua-Kona resident was set at $40,250.

According to police, the 25-year-old victim was standing outside the restaurant with another man shortly before 2 a.m. when he was approached by an acquaintance who allegedly used a blunt object to beat him in the head, arms and legs.

The suspect then allegedly stole backpacks from the victim and the 23-year-old man accompanying him and left the area in a black sedan driven by a second man.

The 25-year-old victim was taken to Kona Community Hospital with serious head wounds and later transported to The Queen’s Medical Center on Oahu.

His companion was not injured.

Nohea Heinicke. HPD photo.

Police later located the black sedan. Its sole occupant, Nohea Gene Heinicke, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for violating probation.

Heinicke, 43, is currently in the custody of the state Department of Public Safety on the probation violation charge, police said today. Police detectives are continuing the investigation into his role in the robbery.