HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
LIEUTENANT RANDALL MEDEIROS
PHONE: 961-2252
MAY 10, 2006
C06014404

MEDIA RELEASE

South Hilo patrol officers arrested a 24 year-old Puna man Monday (May 8, 2006) following an incident in the Downtown Hilo area. Arrested was Brandon Tisalona of a Keaau address.

Officers responded shortly after noon to the report of a local male in his twenties who had assaulted a 61 year-old female visitor from Washington and demanded money from her. Investigating officers located the suspect nearby after obtaining a detailed description by witnesses. He was placed under arrest following a short foot pursuit by officers. While investigating the circumstances of this case classified as a robbery, officers learned of another couple visiting from California who were allegedly confronted by the same suspect who shoved the female and challenged the male visitor to a fight. Additionally, a third male, a local resident, approached the officers and reported that he too, was challenged to a fight by the same suspect.

The 61 year-old victim of the robbery received minor injuries as a result of this attack, but did not require any medical attention.

Detectives assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation and charged Tisalona today (May 10, 2006) with second degree robbery and two counts of harassment. He is being held at the Hilo cellblock in lieu of $10,500 bail.

In keeping with the department’s tough stance on the apparent targeting of our visitors, detectives will be consulting with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possible federal prosecution. Under certain circumstances, including cases like this whereby an individual is suspected of targeting a particular class of people such as tourists, suspects may be prosecuted under federal law for interfering with interstate commerce.

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