Police charge Kona woman in connection with reported robbery at knifepoint

Hawai‘i Island police charged a 33-year-old Kailua-Kona woman with robbery and drug offenses following a Aug. 7 incident during which a 43-year-old woman reported she was robbed at knifepoint.

Krystal Hernandez is charged with first-degree robbery and second-degree promoting a detrimental drug following the reported incident near the 75-5500 block of Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona.

Her total bail was set at $51,000 and she made her initial court appearance Aug. 10. She remains in custody and was ordered to appear at 10 a.m. Aug. 12 in Kona Circuit Court for a preliminary hearing in the case.

Kona patrol officers responded shortly before 6 p.m. Friday to that area of Kuakini Highway after the 43-year-old woman reported an acquaintance robbed her at knifepoint. She told officers that she encountered Hernandez near the Kona pool and gave her $40 after the 33-year-old asked her for money.

As the victim began walking away, Hernandez allegedly grabbed the victim’s fanny pack, brandished a folding knife and threatened her. Hernandez then allegedly used the knife to cut the strap of the fanny pack before fleeing the area.

The victim was not injured.

Patrol officers located Hernandez Aug. 8 in the area of Kalani Street and Kuakini Highway. Detectives obtained a search warrant for bags Hernandez had with her.

Execution of the warrant led to detectives finding a folding knife, property identified by the victim as belonging to her and 242 grams — or slightly more than a half-pound — of a green plant-like substance that tested presumptive positive for marijuana.

Anyone who might have information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Chandler Nacino at 808-326-4646, extension 3262, or via email at chandler.nacino@hawaiipolice.gov.