Posted on: Tuesday, June 26, 2001

Second attack reported at Ala Moana Center

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 55-year-old woman was robbed of her purse at Ala Moana Center's Coral Level parking lot on June 1, six days before a retired Air Force lieutenant general was mugged in the same area.

The woman, an Ala Moana employee, was confronted by a man at 4:10 p.m. near her car. The man, described an unshaven, chunky-built male, did not display a weapon. The woman was not injured.

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Winton Whittier "Bones" Marshall was found lying in the parking lot by a maintenance worker, who saw a man standing over the victim at about 2 p.m. on June 7. The stranger fled as the worker approached. It was later discovered that Marshall's wallet was missing.

Det. Robert Cravalho of the Honolulu Police Department's Robbery Detail says the scene and time elements of the two cases are similar, but it is unknown if the incidents are related.

Marshall, who suffered a broken skull, does not remember what happened so police have been unable to match descriptions, Cravalho said.

Marshall has been under going rehabilitation treatment since his release from the hospital 12 days ago.

"We're working with limited leads," said Cravalho, who noted that Ala Moana Center security is reviewing surveillance videotapes.

The injury has prevented Marshall, former commander of the F-86 Sabrejet-equipped 335th Fighter Squadron who became the fifth U.S. jet ace of the Korean War in 1951, from attending this week's Korean War Symposium at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel. "His wife and family have been very helpful, but he's angry right now that he's in this situation," Cravalho said.

Anyone with information about either case should call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or the Criminal Investigation Division at 529-3115.