Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section, Area I
Lieutenant Gregory Esteban
Phone: 961-2252
Report No. C12018203
Media Release
Big Island police are investigating a home invasion that occurred Monday night (July 9) in Hilo.
Shortly after 10:30 p.m., officers responded to a home on Ainaola Drive in the upper Waiakea Uka area after receiving a report that two armed and masked men had confronted the occupants. Police learned that a 72-year-old man and his 51-year-old son had been at home when the two armed suspects entered the house through an unlocked door and demanded money.
The victims were reportedly bound by the suspects, who then proceeded to search through the house. The suspects also reportedly entered an adjoining home before fleeing the area with an undisclosed amount of money.
Neither victim sustained any injuries in this incident, which is classified as a first-degree burglary, first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree robbery, and first-degree unlawful imprisonment.
Police ask that anyone with information on this case contact Detective Wendell Carter by phone at 961-2378 or by email at wcarter@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Ernest Matsumoto Jr. by phone at 961-2379 or by email at ematsumoto@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $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. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.