09-27-`17 Robbery suspect charged: Benny Rapoza Jr. (Update)

Hawai’i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section, Area I
Acting Lieutenant Wendall Carter
Phone: (808) 961-2383
Report No. C17026964

      

                                                

Media Release (Update no.2)

Hawaiʻi Island police have charged a 39-year-old Hilo man in connection with a robbery reported  to have occurred yesterday (September 26), at approximately 2:30 p.m. in Panaʻewa. 

A 49-year-old female visitor from Massachusetts reported witnessing an unknown male suspect enter her rental vehicle, parked on the Panaewa zoo entrance road, without permission and began removing her belongings from within. She confronted the male suspect who tried to run back to his vehicle parked nearby when she tried to stop the male suspect. According to the woman, the suspect placed his arm around her neck and dragged her approximately 15 feet and threw to the ground causing pain to her neck.

Police arrested Benny Rapoza, Jr., last night at a residence in a lower Puna subdivision. He was charged this afternoon (September 27), just after 4:00 p.m. and continues to be held at the Hilo cellblock in lieu of $10,000 bail pending his initial court appearance in South Hilo District Court tomorrow afternoon (September 28).

Rapoza is charged with 2nd-degree robbery and 1st-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

Police ask anyone with additional information about this investigation to call Detective Grant Todd at (808) 961-2381.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to a $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.


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  • Keep your community safe through Crime Stoppers

    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

    The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV.