MEDIA RELEASE

Gary A. Simpkins

A Puna man has been charged with robbery in connection with a confrontation September 20 in Pāhoa.

A 19-year-old Pāhoa man reported that he had been waiting for a ride at the southern intersection of Highway 130 and Pāhoa Village Road when a car with two male occupants approached him. One of them assaulted the victim and took his skateboard and beanie cap.

Investigation led to the identity of the suspects as a 16-year-old boy and 22-year-old Gary A. Simpkins of Pāhoa. Simpkins turned himself in to police Monday afternoon (September 26) and was held at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

At noon Tuesday (September 27), detectives charged him with second-degree robbery. His bail was set at $5,000. He remains in the cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Wednesday (September 28).

The investigation against the juvenile will be sent to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for a charging decision.