27-year-old Chad Kalenakai Gahan Armitage Jr., has been arrested and charged with assault and robbery following the violent beating of an elderly man in downtown Hilo on Sunday afternoon, July 10, 2022.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a reported assault on Kilauea Avenue near the Keawe Street junction. Responding officers found the 68-year-old victim laying on the sidewalk unconscious and bleeding from his head and facial area. The victim was transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center emergency room and was later flown to the Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu where he remains in critical condition.

Police canvassed the area for witnesses and video surveillance of the broad-daylight incident. A short time later, officers positively identified Armitage as the suspect and continued canvassing the downtown Hilo area trying to locate him. At approximately 5:18 p.m., Armitage was located fronting a business on the 400 block of Kilauea Avenue. After a short foot pursuit with officers, Armitage was taken into custody.

On Tuesday morning, July 12, after conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, detectives charged Armitage with two counts of first-degree assault and second-degree robbery. His bail is set at $75,000.

Armitage remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Wednesday, July 13, in Hilo District Court.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact Detective John Balberde of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2386 or email him at John.Balberde@hawaiicounty.gov or call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

Police want to remind the public to always remain alert and aware of their surroundings, especially for suspicious persons and activity. If you witness suspicious behavior, call police. Crime can occur during daylight hours and in public places, and the public needs to remain vigilant.