Kapolei Costco parking lot robbery suspect is charged

An Oahu grand jury returned an indictment charging an 18-year-old man who allegedly tried to rob a woman in the Costco parking lot in Kapolei.

The grand jury indicted Nathaniel Auelua-Basque, also known as Blake Jacobs, on charges of second- degree robbery and first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle Thursday. His bail was increased to $25,000 from $11,000.

Police said the woman, 28, was in the parking lot at 4589 Kapolei Parkway at about 1 p.m. Tuesday when the suspect later identified as Auelua-Basque approached the vehicle and grabbed her wallet.

The woman’s mother, 63, tried to stop him.

Police said the suspect used force and attempted to flee when good Samaritans detained him until officers arrived.

Auelua-Basque was awaiting trial at the time of the robbery for a separate assault case that occurred three months ago in Nanakuli involving a distant relative, according to court documents.

Prosecutors charged him in April with third-degree assault in the unprovoked attack.

Court documents detailing the assault said the victim, a 38-year-old woman, suffered swelling to her right eye, cheek and jaw after he allegedly punched her twice in the face.