Homeless man suspected in both Liliha, Haleiwa bank robberies

A 36-year-old homeless man arrested in connection with the robbery of the Liliha branch of First Hawaiian Bank Tuesday might also be a suspect in a robbery that occurred Wednesday, police said.

Officers found the man in front of 1161 Maunakea St. in Chinatown and arrested him at about 11:50 p.m. Wednesday. Police said they found drugs on the suspect when he was processed at the Central Receiving Desk. He is being held pending charges of second-degree robbery, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug.

The man is suspected of robbing the First Hawaiian Bank branch at 455 N. King St. of an undisclosed amount of money Tuesday morning, police said.

A man entered the bank, handed the teller a note demanding cash and fled on foot on King Street toward Aala Park at about 8:34 a.m., police said.

The suspect was described as being in his 30s, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 180 pounds, with brown hair and a goatee. He was wearing a black jacket, white T-shirt, light-colored shorts and a brown cap.

Lt. Rade Vanic of the HPD Criminal Investigation Division’s Robbery Detail said the suspect is possibly the same man who robbed the Haleiwa branch of First Hawaiian Bank at 66-135 Kamehameha Highway at 11:17 a.m. Wednesday.

In Wednesday’s incident a man entered the bank, approached the teller and handed over a note demanding money. He left on foot along Kamehameha Highway.

The robber in the Haleiwa case was described as a man in his 30s, 6 feet tall and 160 to 180 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded jacket, green-and-white shorts, a black cap and sunglasses.