Puna Man Charged in ATV Robbery

30 year-old Anthony Mercer of Puna was charged with robbery and unauthorized control of an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”).
The charges stem from a September 2 incident in an area near Government Beach Road where Mercer allegedly took the Complainant’s ATV after brandishing, what was believed to be a firearm, and later determined to be a piece of metal wrapped in his boxer briefs.
At the time of his arrest for these offenses, Mercer was also arrested for an unrelated outstanding Circuit Court warrant.
Mercer was charged with Robbery in the First Degree (in the course of committing theft, was armed with a dangerous instrument or a simulated firearm, threatened the imminent use of force against the force of another person, with intent to compel acquiescence to the taking or escaping with the property) and Unauthorized Control of Propelled Vehicle in the First Degree (exert unauthorized control over another person’s propelled vehicle, a Quad 2 ATV, without the owner’s consent).
Robbery in the First Degree is a class A felony and carries a penalty of 20 years in prison.  Mercer made his initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Tuesday, September 6.
The investigation was lead by Officer Onan Masaoka, Puna Patrol, and assisted by other Puna Patrol officers and members of the Area I Special Enforcement Unit, Hawai‘i Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Lee.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 
HPD Photo