Two charged in assaults, robbery 08-21-02

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
CAPTAIN JAMES DAY
PHONE: 961-2251
AUGUST 21, 2002
H-15859/H-17978/H-18238

Steven Willis
Justin Rabang
Steven Willis
Justin Rabang

MEDIA RELEASE

Police have arrested and charged two 18-year-old males for terroristic threatening, assault and robbery that occurred in separate incidents in Hilo.

The suspects were identified as Steven Willis and Justin Rabang, both of addresses in Puna.

The two were arrested as the result of an investigation of a terroristic threatening case in which two Virginia visitors and their hosts were threatened by an 18-year-old at the Wainaku Lookout on August 16, 2002.

While investigating that case, Hilo Criminal Investigation Section detectives learned that the suspect was also involved in a separate assault and robbery that took place on July 29, 2002, in Wailoa State Park.

In the July robbery, two suspects severely beat a 51-year-old male victim, who suffered a fractured shoulder and ribs.

In the robbery case, Willis was charged with one count of robbery and two counts of assault. Rabang was charged with one count of robbery. Both are being held in lieu of $100,000 bail each.

Willis was also charged with five counts of terroristic threatening and one count of attempted unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle in the incident that occurred at the Wainaku Lookout. His bail on those charges was set at $12,000.

In addition, Willis was charged in a separate assault case in which a homeless man was attacked in July at a Kinoole Street address in Hilo. Willis’ bail for that charge was set at $10,000.

Detectives also have information the two suspects may have been involved in other assaults in the Hilo area. They have requested that anyone who has been assaulted in recent months to call Detective Jason Cortez at 961-2379 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

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