A late-night ATM run in Windward Oahu turned into a frightening ordeal early Monday when two masked men armed with black handguns confronted a 42-year-old customer at the Laie Shopping Center just after midnight. Police say the suspects demanded the man's cash and vehicle, then took off in two cars. No injuries were reported.
What police say
According to Hawaii News Now, Honolulu police said the robbery unfolded at about 12:40 a.m., just after the victim had withdrawn money from the ATM. Officers described the suspects as two masked men, each armed with a black handgun, who demanded both the victim's cash and his vehicle.
Investigators say the pair then fled in the victim's gray 2018 Toyota Camry and a white 2021 Nissan Sentra, a car that had already been reported stolen from the Kapiʻolani Boulevard area. HPD has classified the case as first-degree robbery, and the investigation remains active.
Where it happened
The holdup took place at the Laie Shopping Center, a local hub managed by Hawaii Reserves, Inc., which oversees commercial properties and common areas throughout the town. The center sits near BYU–Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center, and an armed robbery in the quiet overnight hours has sparked concern among nearby residents and merchants, according to the property manager.
Legal consequences
Police are treating the case as first-degree robbery, a class A felony under Hawaii law. As outlined in HRS 708-840, first-degree robbery includes thefts carried out while the suspect is armed with a dangerous instrument or even when a firearm is only simulated. If charges are filed and a conviction follows, the offense carries significant potential prison time.
How to help
Anyone who may have seen the incident, recognizes the suspects, or has information about the stolen white 2021 Nissan Sentra is urged to call 911 or contact CrimeStoppers at (808) 955-8300. Honolulu police say the case is still under active investigation and are asking anyone with surveillance footage or tips to reach out to detectives, per Hawaii News Now.
