Big Island police are investigating another instance of damage to papaya trees in Puna.
Big Island police are investigating another instance of damage to papaya trees in Puna.
On Monday, approximately 35 papaya trees were knocked down at a farm located near 8 1/2-mile Camp, on the edge of Keaau. Damage was estimated at $1,750, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Workers in the area reported two police that they had seen two young men knocking over the trees and striking at the fruit and branches with sticks, according to police. The men left the area on bicycles and were last seen getting into a blue Toyota 4-door pickup truck.
The truck was last seen in the area of Kaloli Drive in Hawaiian Paradise Park, according to police.
One of the men is described as being possibly in his teens with dark skin and short hair, according to police who also noted he was wearing a white tank top and dark-colored shorts.
The other man is described as having dark skin, short hair and wearing dark shorts and a black T-shirt with yellow writing on it, according to police. He was carrying a backpack.
Anyone with information on the case should call 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.