Suspects allegedly approached victim asking for marijuana

From the Hawaii County Police Department

PAHOA, Hawaii: Two Puna residents have been charged with robbery in connection with an incident in Pāhoa on Monday afternoon (February 20) that sent the victim to the hospital.

Puna patrol officers responded to a 2:45 p.m. call Monday and encountered a 32-year-old Pāhoa man, who reported that while he was standing outside a Pāhoa restaurant, a woman had approached him and asked him for marijuana. When he said he didn’t have any, she reportedly hit him in the back of the head several times with her fist and removed cash from his pants pocket.

The victim dropped his skateboard during the attack.

A man reportedly joined in the attack, hitting the victim in the head first with his fist and later with the victim’s skateboard, knocking him unconscious.

The victim was taken to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries.

At 3 p.m. Monday, police arrested 32-year-old Steven Stoesser, 35-year-old Lisa Yurkovic and 19-year-old Gina Sumaoang, all of Pāhoa. They were held at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

At 10 p.m., police released Sumaoang without charges.

Stoesser was charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree assault. His bail was set at $50,000.

Yurkovic was charged with first-degree robbery. Her bail was set at $5,000.

Stoesser and Yurkovic were held at the Hilo police cellblock until their initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon (February 21).