By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
A law enforcement officer carries material from the
Kawaiahao Street residence of Jacob Travis Hayme yesterday.

---

Much of bank
money found

Authorities arrest three
of four people wanted in
connection with the bank
robbery in Kahala

Watch for updates in Breaking News

By Rod Ohira
Star-Bulletin

Authorities reportedly have recovered over two-thirds of the cash stolen in last week's takeover bank robbery in Kahala and have three suspects in custody.

A fourth suspect, believed to be the gunman who fired over 20 rounds at a responding patrol officer outside of American Savings Bank's branch at 1215 Hunakai St., is still at large.

"It's not over yet. There's still one at large, and I'm hoping there will be no confrontation," police chief Lee Donohue said today.

FBI Supervisory Special Agent John Gillies declined comment on the case.

Evidence recovered from a stolen sports utility vehicle led police late last week to identifying one of the suspects involved in the bank robbery.

A supermarket discount card attached to a key ring was found in a Chevy Blazer that was used as a getaway vehicle, a source confirmed.

The Blazer, which was reported stolen in Manoa on Tuesday, was recovered on Luawai Street, a short distance from the robbery scene.

A male acquaintance of the person the card is registered to was brought in for questioning Friday and later released, a police source said.

But conflicting statements from the card's owner and the man led police to bring the man back Saturday. After reportedly failing a polygraph test, the suspect began cooperating with police.

According to witnesses, he was the driver of the Blazer and the suspect who was carrying a video cassette recorder out of the bank when a dye pack of money exploded.

Based on information obtained Saturday, police yesterday arrested two other suspects at separate locations.

Sean Matsunaga, 20, was arrested about noon fronting 1224 Koko Head Ave.

About three hours later, police arrested Jacob Travis Hayme, 22, at 1023 Kawaiahao St. in Kakaako. A female acquaintance of the second suspect, Jennie Villanueva Mendoza, 23, was also arrested at the scene.

The police task force investigating the bank robbery and attempted murder of an officer, headed by Lt. William Kato, are looking for the fourth suspect.

Investigators initially thought there were five men involved but now believe there were only four.

The roundup of suspects yesterday began before noon.

East Honolulu Crime Reduction Unit personnel and patrol officers arrested Matsunaga without incident and later searched his residence.

In Kakaako, police closed off a portion of Kawaiahao Street between Colburn and Kamakee streets for more than five hours after arresting Hayme and Mendoza outside their apartment building, which is located behind a food warehouse on Kawaiahao Street.

Police rushed Hayme and Mendoza when they came out of the building together. A search warrant was later executed on the suspects' second-floor unit.

Authorities have reportedly recovered an assault rifle and most of the $100,000 taken in the robbery.

A federal complaint charging Matsunaga and Hayme with bank robbery may be issued as early as this afternoon. Mendoza is not believed to have participated in the robbery.

Authorities refused comment on the status of the third suspect, who has been cooperating with the investigation. The man's booking information does not appear on the public police arrest logs.

According to court records, Matsunaga pleaded no contest last month on a burglary charge.

Matsunaga and Gordon L. Rapoza were charged with the March 3, 1998, break-in of a business establishment at 801 Kaheka St.

Sentencing for both is set for next month.

The Kawaiahao Street arrest site is just over a quarter-mile from the Ward Avenue parking lot where a stolen Cadillac used as a second getaway car was recovered Wednesday night.

Police believe that the suspects who fled in the Blazer switched to the Cadillac.

Sequence of events

A timeline of events in the robbery of American Savings Bank in Kahala:

Tuesday night-Wednesday

Two vehicles that would be used in the robbery were stolen: a white Chevy Blazer in Manoa, and a blue Cadillac on Date Street.

Wednesday

10 a.m.: Suspects robbed the bank at 1215 Hunakai St. and eluded capture following a shootout. They made off with a reported $100,000. A stolen white Chevy Blazer was recovered on Luawai Street, near Pahoa Avenue.

8:30 p.m.: A stolen blue Cadillac believed used by the robbers was recovered in a parking lot on Ward Avenue.

Thursday

Rewards of $45,000 announced.

Friday

Police questioned a man in connection with a supermarket discount card found in the stolen Blazer. The man was later released.

Saturday

The man was brought back in. After he reportedly failed a polygraph test, he began cooperating with police.

Sunday

Noon: Sean Matsunaga, 20, was arrested fronting 1224 Koko Head Ave., about a mile from the scene of the robbery.

3 p.m.: Jacob Travis Hayme, 22; was arrested at 1023 Kawaiahao St. His girlfriend, Jennie Villanueva Mendoza, 23, was also arrested. The arrest came a quarter-mile from where the stolen Cadillac was recovered.