Kona Man Faces Assault Charges After Allegedly Attacking 2 People on Aliʻi Drive

A Kona man is facing robbery and assault charges after allegedly attacking two people without provocation on Aliʻi Drive near Hale Halawai Park.

The incidents occurred on Monday, Aug. 30. According to Hawaiʻi Police, a 52-year-old man was walking along Aliʻi Drive at around 5:55 p.m. when a man, later identified as 21-year-old Camilo Moreno, approached him, assaulted him, then fled the area on foot.

As a result of the assault, police say, the male victim received injuries but declined medical attention. During the course of the investigation, the victim positively identified Moreno as the person who assaulted him.

Later that same night at 11:15 p.m., a 36-year-old woman reported that as she was walking along Ali‘i Drive she was reportedly unexpectedly assaulted, causing her to fall to the ground. The unknown male suspect took some of her belongings without her permission and fled the area on foot.

On Tuesday, Aug. 31, Kona patrol officers located and apprehended Moreno without incident on Ali‘i Drive near Hale Halawai Park. He was transported to the Kona police station while detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) continued the investigation.

As part of the investigation, some of the items that the 36-year-old woman reported stolen were recovered with physical evidence linking Moreno to the female victim and the crime scene.

Moreno was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree robbery. He had his initial appearance in Kona District Court on Thursday, Sept. 2. Moreno appeared before Judge Joseph Florendo via teleconference from the cellblock in the courthouse.

The defense requested supervised release or a reduction in bail. Both requests were denied. Moreno remains in custody in lieu of $25,500 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing today.

Police are asking that anyone who may have been in the area of Hale Halawai Park and witnessed this incident, contact Detective Sheldon Nakamoto at 808-326-4646 ext. 228 or send an email to [email protected]. 

Tipsters may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311.