UPDATE: Pukalani Bank Robbery Suspects Held on $105K Bail

Richard Liko Kamalei Vance (left) and Michael Santino Sobel (right). Photos courtesy MPD.

By Wendy Osher

Maui police have since identified and charged two men for their alleged connection to an armed robbery earlier this week at the First Hawaiian Bank in Pukalani.

Police say Richard L.K. Vance, 25, and Michael Santino Sobel, 28, were both charged with first degree robbery and terroristic threatening, as well as kidnapping.

Both were being held in lieu of $105,000 bail each after being charged at 7:44 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21.

The charges stem from a robbery reported at 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at the branch located at 67 Makawao Avenue.

As a result of the police investigation into the incident, authorities say Vance was identified as the male offender who allegedly entered the bank; and Sobel was identified as the offender who allegedly drove a getaway motorcycle.

According to police reports, the information received further led investigators to the location of Vance and his girlfriend who were observed within a vehicle at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali.

Both were taken into custody without incident. The 20-year-old woman was arrested for hindering prosecution and later released pending investigation.

Upon execution of warrants, police say evidence connecting Vance to the robbery were recovered from inside the vehicle and the couple’s hotel room.

Police later located Sobel at his home on Aliiolani Street in Pukalani where he was arrested. Police also recovered a motorcycle they say was used in the robbery at Sobel’s home, along with proceeds from the robbery.

The investigation included collaboration between the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, Special Response Team, Crime Reduction and patrol units.

The robbery was the second to occur at the FHB’s Pukalani branch in just four weeks. A separate incident was reported on Jan. 24.