A late-night shift at a closed restaurant near Ala Moana turned frightening on Thursday when a 36-year-old man allegedly pointed what appeared to be a handgun at two workers, assaulted one of them, and robbed the business before Honolulu police moved in and arrested him inside.
According to a post from the Honolulu Police Department, the incident unfolded around 10:20 p.m. on Thursday at a restaurant fronting 1910 Ala Moana Boulevard. Officers from District 6 responded and found the suspect still inside the closed establishment, where they detained him and took him into custody.
Police said the man allegedly aimed what looked like a handgun at two employees. One worker managed to run away, while the other was assaulted and had property taken before officers arrived. The suspect was arrested on two counts of first-degree robbery, according to the department.
Robbery Charge And What It Means
Robbery in the first degree is a class A felony in Hawai‘i under Hawaii Revised Statutes §708-840, according to Justia. The law covers situations where a person is armed with a dangerous instrument or uses force while committing a theft. That can include cases where a suspect points what appears to be a firearm at victims, which can elevate the offense and expose a defendant to harsher penalties because of the heightened risk of serious injury.
How To Report Tips
Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call 911, contact CrimeStoppers at (808) 955-8300, or submit an anonymous tip through the P3 Tips app. Investigators say witness statements and surveillance footage could help the case.
