Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section, Area I
Lieutenant Gregory Esteban
Phone: 961-2252
May 20, 2011
Report No. C11005061
Media Release
Big Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying suspects of an alleged robbery that occurred in Puna.
On February 23, 2011 at about 7:49 a.m., police received a report of an assault victim found in a parked car in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision. Police and medics from the Hawaii Fire Department discovered the 37-year-old Mountain View man with apparent injuries. The victim declined treatment for his injuries which were not life threatening.
Police learned that the victim was at a drinking establishment in Keaau and left shortly after midnight in the company of four men. The victim has no recollection of the events after leaving the establishment and informed police that several items that were originally in his vehicle were now missing.
Police would like to talk with the four male individuals who were seen leaving with the victim. In addition, police are seeking anyone who may have witnessed the alleged robbery or observed the victim’s vehicle, described as a gold 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, being operated or stopped between Keaau and Hawaiian Acres to call Detective John Rodrigues of the Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2382 or 965-2716 or the Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.
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.