Alleged robber hit 5 other banks, HPD says

The man accused of robbing the Kailua branch of American Savings Bank on Aug. 18 might have committed as many as five other bank robberies, police said.

Honolulu police arrested Bal Kanui, 53, in Kailua Wednesday for the American Savings Bank robbery. Federal prosecutors charged him the following day.

A tip naming Kanui as the robber led Honolulu police to a Keolu Drive address where they arrested him, police said yesterday.

The robber entered the bank at 200-C Hamakua Drive, passed a note to a teller, demanded money and fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

"We had nothing on him. A tip came in. It was investigated through the tip. The picture came up. It was matched," said Sgt. Kim Capllonch, CrimeStoppers coordinator.

During questioning, Kanui admitted to five other bank robberies dating to 1999, Capllonch said. Investigators are making sure they have all the facts before charging Kanui with the other bank robberies, she said.