Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section, Area I
Lieutenant Gregory Esteban
Phone: 961-2252
Report No. C15031569
Dominic Freitas
Media Release
A 40-year-old man has been charged with four offenses in connection with a reported robbery at an automated teller machine in Hilo.
At 11:45 a.m. Sunday (October 25), police responded to a report of a robbery in progress in a parking lot of a bank on Pauahi Street.
A 53-year-old Hilo man was using an ATM when another man reportedly entered his parked car. When the victim confronted the suspect, he was struck in the face and the car’s door panel was damaged. The suspect then fled on foot.
The victim sustained minor injuries but declined treatment.
During the incident, a witness called 9-1-1 and followed the suspect, providing his location to police.
At 11:55 a.m., police made contact with Dominic Simon Freitas, who has no permanent address, on Kilauea Avenue. He was arrested on suspicion of robbery, assault, criminal property damage, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and attempted unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. He was taken to the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.
After conferring with prosecutors, detectives charged Freitas at 3:45 p.m. Monday (October 26) with unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, robbery, assault and criminal property damage. His bail was set at $38,000. He remained at the cellblock until his initial court appearance scheduled for Tuesday (October 27).