Hawaii County police charged a 28-year-old Kailua-Kona man who allegedly robbed two men of their backpacks, bludgeoning one of them early Tuesday morning.
On Wednesday, Randall Todd Chase was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, assault, two counts of third-degree theft, promoting a dangerous drug, promoting a detrimental drug and possessing drug paraphernalia. Bail was set at $40,250.
Police said Chase approached two Kailua-Kona men, ages 23 and 25, at 1:57 a.m. Tuesday near a restaurant on Henry Street. He then allegedly struck the 25-year-old in the head, arms and legs with a blunt object and stole their backpacks.
Police said the assailant fled in a black sedan driven by a second man.
Police arrested a 43-year-old Kailua-Kona man driving a car that matched the getaway car on suspicion of robbery and on a bench warrant. He was charged with probation violation. Police continue to investigate his role in the robbery, but have not charged him with that crime.
The 25-year-old victim received serious injuries to his head, was taken to Kona Community Hospital, and later transferred to the Queen’s Medical Center, where he is in stable condition, police said.