Big Island police have in custody a 20-year-old Kona man and are asking for the public’s help in identifying other suspects involved in a Monday reporter robbery in Kailua-Kona. Big Island police have in custody a 20-year-old Kona man and
Big Island police have in custody a 20-year-old Kona man and are asking for the public’s help in identifying other suspects involved in a Monday reporter robbery in Kailua-Kona.
Shortly before 12:30 a.m., a 26-year-old Kealakekua man reported to police that he had met a man at a bar and went with him to the northwest corner of the Alii Sunset Plaza parking lot to meet with a group of five or six men, according to the Hawaii Police Department. The men subsequently punched and kicked the man and then stole his backpack before feeling on foot.
The man was treated at Kona Community Hospital for a fractured jaw and minor cuts and scrapes, according to police.
Police investigation led to the identity of a possible suspect, a 20-year-old man who has no permanent address but is known to frequent Kailua-Kona. The man, whom West Hawaii Today is not identifying because he hasn’t been charged with a crime, is being held at the Kona police cellblock while detectives continue the investigation.
Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or saw the victim talking with a “local” man in the Coconut Grove Marketplace area to call Detective Walter Ah Mow at 326-4646, ext. 238. The victim was wearing shorts, a striped a tank top and was carrying a backpack.
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.
