Hawai‘i Island police arrested and charged 35-year-old Rancey Sonny Kawika Lee of Pahoa, with various offenses following an armed robbery of a Pahoa fast food restaurant.
On Friday, January 20, Puna patrol officers responded to a reported armed robbery at a fast food restaurant in a Pahoa shopping center. Employees reported the suspect, who was armed with a screwdriver and a large wrench, disguised his face and went behind the counter, where he made loud verbal demands for money. He left the area prior to police arrival, without receiving any money or other items. There were no reported injuries to employees. Additional responding officers located Lee walking on Pahoa Village Road, where he was arrested without incident. He was found to be in possession of a pair of scissors and a wrench as described by witnesses. After conferring with County Prosecutors Office, Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives charged Lee with the following offenses:
- second-degree robbery
- first-degree terroristic threatening
- second-degree criminal trespass drug
Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3331 or Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2375 or email Kimo.Keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.
HPD Photo