Suspect in armed Waikiki robbery, highway crash indicted by Oahu grand jury

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Suspect in a Waikiki knifepoint carjacking has been indicted by an Oahu grand jury.

Zebenel Curtis, 31, was indicted Tuesday.

He was charged Friday, Nov. 5, with robbery in the first degree and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle in the first degree.

The charges stem from a robbery that police said took place at a hotel loading zone in the Kalia Road area on Monday, Nov. 2, at around 10:50 p.m.

Curtis, allegedly armed with a knife, ordered a 21-year-old male victim out of a black Dodge Charger, according to police.

The victim, his 19-year-old sister, and their two younger siblings, ages 12 and 9, exited safely before Curtis drove away. No injuries were reported during the robbery.

Then, at around 11:15 p.m., the stolen vehicle was involved in a collision near Likelike Highway and Kahekili Highway.

Occupants of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries. The suspect fled on foot before officers arrived.

Crime reduction unit officers initially arrested him Wednesday, Nov. 4, for robbery in the first degree and three unrelated contempt warrants.

Curtis was charged after the case was conferred with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

His bail was raised from $50,000 to $200,000.