Police seek info on assault, abduction in Hilo

Police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a potential kidnapping victim and three suspects in an incident which occurred early Sunday evening in Hilo.

At about 6:55 p.m. Sunday, Hilo patrol officers responded to Puainako Town Center on a report of an affray. Responding officers were able to determine that the victim arrived at the location near the center’s McDonald’s in a silver 2003 Honda Accord, and parked facing Kanoelehua Avenue.

A short time later, an early 2000’s model white Toyota Tundra crew-cab pick-up truck arrived and parked behind of the Honda Accord. Three men got out of the truck and approached the victim, who was standing outside of his vehicle, and began to assault him.

The three men then forced the victim into the back seat of the Tundra and left the area.

Cellphone video of the incident has been recovered. However, police are unable to identify the victim, suspects, or any of the vehicles. A check of the Honda’s license plate and vehicle identification number didn’t produce any leads on identifying the victim or registered owner.

The kidnapping victim is in the attached photograph, wearing a high-visible green T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers. The silver Honda Accord was driven by the victim.

Two of the kidnapping suspects were wearing black long-sleeved or hoodie-type tops and shorts, and the other suspect was wearing a black T-shirt and shorts. The white Toyota Tundra is the vehicle the suspects arrived and left in after forcing the victim into the truck.

Anyone with information on the victim and his vehicle, or the suspects and their vehicle, are asked contact police Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua at (808) 961-2375 or kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.