HILO, Hawai'i — Two suspects were arrested and others are being sought after a group of men attacked and robbed four visitors at the Rainbow Falls scenic attraction in Hilo.

Hawai'i County police said a group of men accosted a 31-year-old Arizona man and a 33-year-old woman who was with him at about 6 p.m. Monday. The Arizona man said he was punched by one member of the group and kicked in the face by another. The first assailant then grabbed the man's camera and a third ripped the woman's purse from her hands, police said.

When one of the attackers realized that a 52-year-old California man visiting the falls with his family was videotaping the robbery, he ran up to the man and punched him in the face, taking the video camera, police said. Another of the culprits threatened the visitor's 45-year-old wife and stole her camera.

Witnesses reported the license number of a blue Honda hatchback fleeing the area, and a patrol officer spotted the car in downtown Hilo and tried to stop it. Several police units pursued the sedan to the end of Kauhane Avenue, where its three occupants got out and ran toward Hilo International Airport.

An 18-year-old Hilo man was arrested at 7 p.m. after a brief foot chase and remained in police custody yesterday. A 17-year-old youth was arrested and taken to the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility on O'ahu, police said.

An aerial-and-ground search failed to locate the third suspect. Police said they also are looking for others believed to have been involved.

During the car chase, a video camera belonging to one of the victims was tossed from the Honda, police said.

The injured visitors were taken to the Hilo Medical Center emergency room, where they were treated and released.

Detectives from the East Hawai'i Criminal Investigation Section said there were several other people at Rainbow Falls who may have witnessed the attacks but they left before police could interview them.

Witnesses are asked to call detective Lucille Melemai at (808) 961-2377 or the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo or (808) 329-8181 in Kona.