MEDIA RELEASE

Edward Higa

A shoplifting incident has led to five charges against a 35-year-old Hilo man.

On June 23, a man reportedly removed clothing items from a department store at a shopping mall on East Puainako Street in Hilo. When mall employees confronted him outside the store, he fled by car, striking a 19-year-old female employee in the process and causing minor injuries.

Police investigation led to the identity of the suspect as Edward Higa. He was arrested Tuesday morning (July 12) and charged with second-degree robbery, third-degree theft, reckless endangering, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, and driving without a license. His bail was set at $29,000.

His initial court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday (July 13).