Only four gunmen robbed
Kahala bank, police say

By Jaymes K. Song
Star-Bulletin

Police investigators have eliminated any possibility of a fifth gunman in the robbery of the American Savings Bank in Kahala.

Four men -- Roger Dailey, 33, Sean Matsunaga, 20, Jacob Travis Hayme, 23, and Albert Raymond Batalona, 24, -- have been arrested and charged in connection with the July 7 armed "takeover" robbery.

Five masked gunmen were reported to have robbed the bank, based on witness statements. Two gunmen ordered employees and customers to the floor, two jumped on the counter and emptied the teller's drawers, and one stood watch by the door of the bank.

However, some witnesses reported seeing only four men.

"We're pretty confident there were four," an investigator said.

Five men also were seen running from the bank.

But after reviewing mall security tapes, police determined that the fifth man -- witnesses said he was armed, wearing a ski mask and running up the parking ramp -- was a police officer.

And police say he didn't have a mask on.

"I believe everyone involved is accounted for," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Johnson.

Dailey, who was identified after police recovered a supermarket discount card in a getaway car, also admitted he was one of the four men who made off with more than $100,000.

"It's common for witnesses on the scene of an accident or crime to disagree on what they saw," said Dr. Leon James, a University of Hawaii psychology professor. "Especially whether it's four or five men, whether the shooter was wearing a mask or not wearing one."

James said witnesses are in a "heightened emotional state" and that may affect how they register observations in their memory.

"They are in shock," he said. "Their heart is pounding real fast. Their thinking is mumbled and not clear. Their breathing is off. There's lots of things happening simultaneously.

"Their normal power of observation is totally influenced, slowed down and disrupted."

The statements from customers and the tellers also might differ because the employees have been "trained" for a bank robbery, while customers will be caught by surprise.

The trained observers most likely will give more accurate accounts.

"Under shock conditions, perception rules are totally different," James said.

Meanwhile, Batalona's preliminary hearing is scheduled for tomorrow. Matsunaga and Hayme are scheduled to appear in court Friday. Dailey remains in protective custody away from the others.