A man charged with robbing a woman in Kakaako made an initial appearance in court yesterday.

John Leonard Gomes is charged with first-degree robbery.

Police said Jolene Walker-Akau was walking to her parked car in a parking structure at 860 Halekauwila St. at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday when Gomes approached from the rear and hit her head.

Walker-Akau said Gomes then pulled her pink and brown purse off her right shoulder and fled.

She called for help and three men responded. One of them stopped Gomes at Halekauwila and Cooke streets and called for help.

A police officer detained Gomes at Mother Waldron Playground at 537 Coral St. where Walker-Akau identified him.