MEDIA RELEASE

Composite sketch of suspect

Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a report of a woman being accosted by a male in a vehicle in the Puna District in early February 2014.

On February 5, 2014 at about 9:12 p.m., police contacted a 19-year-old Pahoa woman who reported to police that earlier in the evening and while walking along Kahakai Boulevard near Da Store, a dark colored sedan pulled alongside of her and a Caucasian male exited the vehicle. The male brandished a knife and threatened the victim, who walked away. The driver and the vehicle left the area, driving in the makai direction on Kahakai Boulevard. The victim was not injured in the incident.

The male was further described as being about 5’5” tall, weighing about 140 pounds, having short brown hair and a medium build.

The vehicle may be a foreign make, possibly a Honda or Toyota.

Police are releasing a composite drawing of the suspect with the hope that someone will recognize him.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section are continuing the investigation, which is classified as a first degree terroristic threatening case.

Police ask that anyone with information on this incident or may know the identity of the suspect to call the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Norbert Serrao of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2383 or email at nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide number for Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.