Puna attempted murder (update) 10-23-11

Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Division, Area I
Captain Randall Medeiros
Phone:  961-2251
Report No. C11027603

Seferin Tilipau

Seferin Tilipau

Media Release (update)

Hilo detectives have charged a Keaʻau man in connection with a brutal home invasion that occurred in Puna early Saturday morning (October 22) that left a Keaʻau woman hospitalized.

Sunday (October 23) at approximately 8:45 p.m., detectives charged 18-year-old Seferin Tilipau with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree burglary and first-degree assault. He is being held without bail pending his initial court appearance in South Hilo District Court tomorrow (October 24) at 1 p.m.

Saturday (October 22) shortly after midnight, Puna patrol officers responded to the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision to investigate a report of a woman screaming for assistance. Upon arrival, police discovered the 69-year-old woman with severe head injuries and determined that a man had forced his way into her home before assaulting her.

Officers from the Puna district converged in the area to assist in the search for the suspect. He was observed fleeing the home upon officers’ arrival at the scene.

At about 1:25 a.m., following an extensive search,  18-year-old Seferin Tilipau of Keaʻau was found hiding in a nearby house and was arrested and taken into custody.

Hawaiʻi Fire Department medics took the victim to Hilo Medical Center, where she was treated for her injuries and is listed in stable condition.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case call Detective Derek Morimoto  at 961-2380 or the Police 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.


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    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

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