Elderly Kona man accused of assaulting 61-year-old woman granted supervised release

A 3rd District Court judge granted an elderly Kona man accused of assaulting a 61-year-old woman supervised release.

Robert Russell made an initial appearance in Kona District Court on Tuesday after his arrest on Sunday morning. According to Hawai‘i Island police, the 74-year-old approached the elderly woman who was sitting in her vehicle in the parking lot of a multi-dwelling complex in the 75-6000 block of Ali‘i Drive and demanded she give him her car.

When she refused, the victim told police that Russell hit her in the chest with a 2-foot metal object, similar to a pipe. The victim was able to separate herself from Russell, prompting him to damage her vehicle. She suffered minor injuries but did not need medical attention.

Russell fled the area before police arrived on scene, but was later found and arrested in the 76-6200 block of Halehalau Street. Hawai‘i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney filed the following charges against Russell:

• Second-degree attempted robbery
• Second-degree assault
• First-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle
• Fourth-degree criminal property damage

His bail was set at $20,250. During his initial court appearance Tuesday, District Court Judge Kimberly Tsuchiya granted Russell supervised release. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 13.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Kona Patrol Officer Dylan Chaves at 808-935-3311, or by email at [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.