A Tongan suspect has been arrested in Hawai’i charged in connection with robbery and auto theft after being at large for a week.
The Kaua‘i Police Department arrested 27-year-old Sateki Nisa of Pāhoa, Hawai‘i Island, Tuesday morning, the Kaua’i Now online reported.
He is currently being held on bail totalling $114,000. He is being charged with first-degree robbery, Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle, first-degree reckless endangering, two counts of credit card theft, unauthorized possession of personal confidential information and driving without a valid driver’s license.
“Mr. Nisa is currently being held on bail at KPD cell block, and our investigation is ongoing,” said Acting Capt. Kennison Nagahisa with the Investigative Services Bureau. “We thank the public for your tips and information that helped lead to his arrest.”
According to a preliminary report, KPD personnel received a report of a robbery that occurred at Ahukini Landing in Līhu‘e on Nov. 13 at 8:40 p.m. A man fitting Sateki Nisa’s description held the operator of a Toyota Corolla at gunpoint and took off with the vehicle. No injuries were reported.
The next day, on Nov. 14, the suspect was observed in the stolen Toyota Corolla near mile-marker 5 of Kūhiō Highway, around the south entrance to Leho Drive. The suspect pulled to the side of the road, exited the vehicle, and fled into the bushes. Kaua‘i Police pursued the suspect in the heavily wooded area, but could not locate him.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to call KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information by calling Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi at 808-246-8300, submitting a tip at cskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi P3 Tips Mobile App, available for download on Android and Apple mobile devices.