MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspect’s in a reported robbery that occurred in Hilo.

On Thursday evening (February 14) at 9:58 p.m., police received a report from a 20-year-old Hilo man that stated that he was approached by a female and a local looking male while he was sitting in the grassy area north of the Manono Mini Mart. The victim related that he was then threatened by the local male if he did not give the male his iPad and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The victim, fearing for his safety turned over the items to the local male who then left the area with the female in a dark colored sport utility vehicle which was last seen traveling on Manono Street towards Kamehameha Avenue. The victim did not sustain any injuries during this incident.

The male suspect is described as being Puerto Rican, in his mid-30’s, with short black hair, 5-foot-8, 145 pounds, and wearing a dark colored jacket. The female is described as Caucasian, in her mid-20’s, with long blond hair, and was wearing a white colored shirt with a blue jacket.

Officers from the South Hilo Patrol Division are continuing the investigation, which has been classified as a second degree robbery.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Officer Cobile at 961-2213 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept strictly confidential.