HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
WEST HAWAII CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
LIEUTENANT PAUL KEALOHA
PHONE: 326-4646, EXT. 266
NOVEMBER 24, 2004

SUSPECTS CHARGED – Four suspects were charged with a variety of offenses stemming from the kidnapping and robbery of an 18-year-old female in Kailua-Kona. The suspects are Leialoha Vela Mareko, top left, Suzanne Ruggerio, Luke K. Wong and Joby K. Wong

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Kona police have charged four persons with a variety of offenses stemming from the kidnapping and robbery of an 18-year-old female early Saturday (November 20, 2004) in Kailua-Kona.

West Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives charged the four suspects, all of Kailua-Kona, at 10:55 p.m. Tuesday. The suspects and their charges were:

• Leialoha Vela Mareko, 26, charged with one count each of second-degree robbery, kidnapping, third-degree assault and third-degree theft, six counts of second-degree reckless endangering and two counts of first-degree criminal property damage. Her total bail was set at $29,500.

• Suzanne Ruggiero, 34, charged with one count each of second-degree robbery, kidnapping, third-degree assault and third-degree theft. Her bail was set at $16,500. Ruggerio was also served with three outstanding bench warrants for contempt of court. Her bail on the contempt warrants was set at an additional $900.

• Luke K. Wong, 28, charged with one count each of second-degree robbery, kidnapping, third-degree assault and third-degree theft. His bail was set at $16,500.

• Joby K. Wong, 20, charged with one count each of second-degree robbery, kidnapping, third-degree assault and third-degree theft. His bail was set at $7,350.

Police arrested the four suspects Monday after an investigation determined that one of them allegedly lured the victim — who was standing on the corner of Alii Drive and Likana Lane in Kailua-Kona about 2 a.m. Saturday — to a green Honda four-door sedan.

Once the victim 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 later released by her captors.

Mareko was also implicated in a separate incident involving the same victim earlier Saturday.

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