Home invasion robbery (update) 11-26-07

Hawaii Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section
Lieutenant Randall Medeiros
Phone: 961-2252
November 26, 2007
Report No. C07037824

Darren Joao
wanted for questioning

Media Release (update)

Big Island police are asking for the public’s help in locating a person of interest in connection with a home invasion robbery in the Mountain View area of Puna Saturday (November 24). 

The person of interest is 22-year-old Darren Joao (pronounced "Joe-ow") of Waiohinu.

Patrol officers were dispatched to a Hawaiian Acres home Saturday evening in response to a report that multiple male suspects entered the home occupied by three men and a female minor.  The victims reported that between three and five males demanded specific property from them. One of the suspects wore a mask. Two brandished firearms.

When the victims were unable to produce the property, the suspects forced them out of the house and into one of the victims’ vehicle.

After driving through the subdivision for a short time in the victim’s car with the remaining suspects following in their truck, the female minor was removed from the car. The car driven by one of the suspects continued on with the three male victims still inside. 

The minor reported to police that at that point she was sexually assaulted by one of the remaining suspects. The male victims were later released from the vehicle.

The suspects were last seen leaving in their truck and the stolen vehicle, which is described as a white 2000 Chevrolet four-door sedan bearing Hawaii veterans license plate number F317. The suspects are described as local males in their 20s or 30s with tanned complexions.

The female minor was transported by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. None of the remaining victims required immediate medical attention.

Police do not believe the home invasion was random but, rather, that the suspects targeted that specific house. Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation.

Police ask anyone with information about the case or the location of Joao to call Detective Reed Mahuna at 961-2384 or the Police Department’s non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.  All calls to Crime Stoppers are kept confidential. 



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