Two charged in road rage, robbery incident on Big Island

Hawaii County police on Wednesday charged a 25-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, both of Pahoa, in connection with a road rage incident Monday in the Hilo courthouse parking lot that turned into a robbery.

Police said a 53-year-old Keaau man reported that the driver of a Nissan sedan followed him into the parking lot, and the female driver approached him. The two got into an argument, and the woman’s male passenger allegedly assaulted the victim.

During the assault, the woman allegedly stole the man’s backpack from the cab of his truck. The pair allegedly shoved the Keaau man when he tried to retrieve the backpack, and he sustained minor injuries.

The pair fled in their car.

Police said Chantel Takabayashi and Rendell Naiga turned themselves in to police on Tuesday and were arrested. Detectives continued the investigation and charged them with second-degree robbery and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

Bail was set at $7,000 for each.

They posted bail and are scheduled to appear in Hilo District Court on Dec. 19.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have any other information is asked to call police at 935-3311 or Detective Jesse Kerr at 961-2382 or Jesse.Kerr@hawaiicounty.gov.