Kona patrol officers arrested and charged an elderly Kailua-Kona man with a handful of offenses, including attempted robbery and assault, following an incident that took place in Kailua-Kona early Sunday morning, January 14, 2024.
At approximately 6:45 a.m., Kona patrol officers responded to the parking lot of a multi-dwelling complex in the 75-6000 block of Ali‘i Drive after a 61-year-old woman reported being assaulted. The victim told police that while she was seated within her vehicle 74-year-old Robert Russell approached her wielding a 2-foot metal object, similar to a pipe.
Russell demanded that the victim give him her vehicle and when she refused, Russell struck her in the chest with the weapon causing pain. The victim was able to separate herself from Russell, prompting him to damage her vehicle. She sustained minor injuries but did not require medical attention.
Russell fled the area prior to police arriving on scene, but was later located and arrested in the 76-6200 block of Halehalau Street. After continuing their investigation, Kona patrol officers conferred with the County Prosecutor’s Office, and subsequently charged Russell with the following offenses:
- 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 and he remains in police custody. Russell’s initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in Kona District Court.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Kona Patrol Officer Dylan Chaves at (808) 935-3311, or by email at Dylan.Chaves@hawaiicounty.gov.
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.