Police seek help identifying robbery suspect

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect in a reported robbery that occurred over the weekend in Puna.

On Sunday, police received a report from a 60-year-old Volcano woman that at about 6 p.m. the previous day, she offered a ride to a male acquaintance to assist him with his disabled vehicle. Instead of driving to the location of the vehicle, the male suspect apparently drove to another location in Mountain View, where the driver was assaulted and pushed out of the vehicle by the suspect who stole her vehicle, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

The suspect was described as a Caucasian man in his early to mid 50s, approximately 6-foot tall, with a medium build, medium tan complexion with long, wavy brown hair just slightly shorter than his shoulders, unknown eye color, no facial hair and no glasses, unknown tattoos, scars and marks. He was last seen wearing jeans and a long sleeve gray button shirt. The suspect may speak with a slight lisp, police said.

The victim sustained injuries from the assault and from falling from the truck. However, she declined treatment, police said.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing the investigation, which is classified as a second-degree robbery and first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect or may have witnessed this robbery should call Detective Wendell Carter or email him at wcarter@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those 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.