2 Suspects Charged in Connection With Road Rage Robbery

(L–R) Rendell Naiga and Chantel Takabayashi. HPD photo.

Hawaiʻi Island police charged two suspects in connection with a robbery stemming from a road rage incident on Kīlauea Avenue in Hilo.

At 8:49 a.m., Monday morning, Nov. 13, 2017, police responded to the courthouse parking lot in Hilo for an incident involving two motorists.

The victim, a 53-year-old Keaʻau man, told police that a Nissan sedan followed him into the parking lot where the female driver of the sedan approached him.

During an argument with the woman, a male passenger got involved and assaulted the victim.

During the assault, the female suspect went into the cab of the victim’s truck and stole his backpack.

Both suspects shoved the victim when he tried to retrieve his backpack then both suspects fled the area in their vehicle.

The victim sustained minor injuries and declined medical treatment.

On Tuesday, Nov. 14, 25-year-old Chantel Takabayashi and 31-year-old Rendell Naiga, both of Pāhoa, were arrested in Hilo after turning themselves in to police.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continued the investigation and charged both suspects with second-degree robbery and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle. Their bail was set at $7000 each.

The suspects were released from police custody after posting bail and are expected in District Court on Dec. 19.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have any other information about it is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Jesse Kerr of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2382 or Jesse.Kerr@hawaiicounty.gov.

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 $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand on Nā Leo TV.

This information was provided by the authorities. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.