Punaluu assault suspect sought

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

Anyone with information on the man’s identity should call Officer James Lorenzo at 939-2520 or the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Big Island police are asking the public’s help identifying a man wanted for questioning in connection with a Jan. 12 assault at Punaluu Black Sands Beach.

A 29-year-old Meadow Lake, Ore., man reported to police that while he was taking pictures of turtles, a man confronted him, told him to stay away from the animals and then punched him in the left eye, according to the Hawaii Police Department. The suspect then allegedly took the Oregon man’s camera and wrestled him to the ground.

The victim’s girlfriend retrieved the camera and took a photo of the suspect after bystanders had separated the men, according to police.

Anyone with information on the man’s identity should call Officer James Lorenzo at 939-2520 or the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.