HPD Charge Man for Robbery & Vehicle Break-In

The Hawaiʻi Island Police Department has charged a 34-year-old man for Robbery and Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle.

Bryan Punihaole. HPD Phpto.

On Sunday morning, July 15, at approximately 4 a.m., a 31-year-old female victim reported that while in the parking lot of 75-5809 Alii Dr., she was confronted by 34-year-old Bryan Punihaole, of Kailua-Kona, as she entered into the passenger side of a vehicle. The victim attempted to close the vehicle’s door. However, Punihaole forced the door open, reached into the vehicle, and forcefully removed a bag containing vehicle keys from the victim’s hands. As the victim attempted to retrieve her keys from Punihaole, he brandished a small, sharp object and began thrusting the object towards the victim. Punihaole then attempted to flee the immediate area on foot however he was apprehended by uninvolved individuals and held until officers’ arrival.

Punihaole was arrested for Robbery and transported to the Kealakehe Police Station pending an investigation by detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section.

As officers conducted their investigation, they learned that before the robbery incident Punihaole was observed throwing a rock through the windshield of a vehicle that was parked and unattended in the same parking lot. He then entered the vehicle, causing damage in an attempt to start it, however, he was not successful.

On Monday, July 16, at 12:25 p.m., Punihaole was charged with one count of Robbery in the Second Degree and two counts of Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle. He remains in custody at the Kealakehe Police Station in lieu of $9,000 bail pending his initial court appearance at the Kona District Court tomorrow morning.

Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Pernell Hanoa of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 326-4646 ext. 281 or Pernell.Hanoa@hawaiicounty.gov.

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