A 40-year-old woman who police said posed as a photographer and robbed a woman in Kapolei in February has been charged with one count of robbery.

Cynthia Williams was being held last night in lieu of $25,000 bail. Police said Williams was in custody at the Women's Community Correctional Center on another charge when she was arrested for the robbery.

On Feb. 28, an 18-year-old woman and her 1-year-old daughter were waiting at a bus stop in Kapolei when a woman approached them. Police said the woman, identified as Williams, told the young mother that she was involved in a church-sponsored photo contest and needed to submit a picture of a child washing her hands.

The suspect offered to pay the woman $50 for permission to photograph the girl and the mother agreed, police said. The suspect led the two to the women's restroom at the KFC restaurant and locked the door, police said.

While in the restroom, the woman took several pictures of the girl and then asked the mother to pose alone. The mother agreed and put the baby down and stood against a wall.

The woman then pulled what appeared to be a gun out of her bag, pressed it against the woman's neck and threatened to shoot if she moved, police said. The woman stole several items from the mother and fled.

No one was injured in the incident, police said.

Police were able to identify the suspect and arrest her this week.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.