Police yesterday arrested a bank robbery suspect after searching two parks frequented by homeless people and eventually finding their man trying to catch a ride in Chinatown.

Arnold Buskey, described by police as a homeless man, was arrested about noon for investigation of robbery. He was identified in a field lineup at 'A'ala Park — across the street from the bank that was robbed.

The arrest came nearly three hours after a man robbed the King-Liliha branch of First Hawaiian Bank at 445 N. King St. shortly after 9 a.m. The man gave a teller a note demanding money and left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The robber was not armed.

Officers converged on 'A'ala Park and began asking homeless people living in the park if they had seen Buskey, who had been identified as a suspect in the robbery. Police were told that Buskey lived at Ala Moana Beach Park and that he had a bus pass. Police notified O'ahu Transit Services and searched Ala Moana park, to no avail.

Police were returning to 'A'ala Park to further question Buskey's friends when they noticed Buskey trying to get into a car in Chinatown. He was arrested without incident, police said.

The driver of the car was released after he told officers that he had no idea what Buskey was into, police said.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.