Four arrested for kidnapping, robbing 18-year-old female 11-23-04

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
WEST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
LIEUTENANT PAUL KEALOHA
PHONE: 326-4646, EXT. 266
NOVEMBER 23, 2004

MEDIA RELEASE

Kona police have arrested two men and two women for allegedly kidnapping and robbing an 18-year-old female early Saturday (November 20, 2004) in Kailua-Kona.

On Monday, police arrested the four suspects believed to be responsible for the abduction and robbery. They were identified as Leialoha Vela Mareko, 26, Suzanne Ruggiero, 34, Luke K. Wong, 28, and Joby K. Wong, 20, all of Kailua-Kona.

The four are being held in the Kona police cellblock pending further investigation for robbery, assault, kidnapping and theft by West Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives.

An investigation so far has determined that the victim was standing on the corner of Alii Drive and Likana Lane in Kailua-Kona about 2 a.m. Saturday when she was lured to a green Honda four-door sedan by an acquaintance.

Once she got to the car, she allegedly was forced to get inside and was taken to a Kealakehe area where she was beaten and robbed of personal property. The victim was released by her captors about 4 a.m. Saturday.

Mareko is also being investigated for six additional offenses stemming from a separate incident involving the same victim earlier Saturday.

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