MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are investigating a reported home invasion that occurred last month in Puna.

Police received a call at about 10:32 p.m. on November 25 from a 29-year-old Keaʻau man, who reported that while he was in his home in Hawaiian Paradise Park, two unknown men armed with sharpened weapons forced their way inside. During the ensuing confrontation, the victim managed to disarm one of the suspects, and he injured him with the same edged weapon. Both suspects fled the area on foot in an unknown direction.

The victim was treated and released at Hilo Medical Center for his injuries, which were not life threatening.

One suspect was described as being in his late 30s, about 5-foot-6, around 210 pounds, bald with a heavy build, a dark complexion, and possibly of Hawaiian-Caucasian-Portuguese descent. He was wearing denim jeans, possibly a grey long-sleeve shirt and unknown footwear.

The second man was described as being possibly Caucasian, in his mid to late 20s, around 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10, about 160 pounds with with blue eyes, short blond hair, a slim build, a fair complexion and facial acne scars. He wore faded black long pants, a black short-sleeved shirt that had a “Da Hui” design logo. He may have suffered an injury during the confrontation.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Section are conducting the investigation into this incident, which is classified as a first-degree burglary and first-degree assault. They are asking for the public’s help in identifying either suspect. Police ask that anyone with information on this case call Detective Joel Field at 961-2381 or email him at jfield@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters 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. 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.