MEDIA RELEASE

Bernard Antoque

Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s help in locating a 31-year-old Hilo man wanted for questioning in connection with the robbery of a taxi driver in Hilo.

Bernard K. Antoque is described as part Hawaiian, about 5-foot-6, about 175 pounds with a fair complexion, short black hair and brown eyes. He has a piercing below his lower lip and numerous tattoos on his neck, chest, abdomen, arms and legs.

On April 6, at 10:07 a.m., police received a report from a 59-year-old taxi driver that after he picked up a fare in the Banyan Drive area, he transported him to the Mountain View area in Puna. The fare claimed he did not have money to pay for the ride and asked to be taken to another location. After the driver refused, the fare assaulted and threatened the driver and took the driver’s bag containing cash. The driver forced the fare out of the cab and drove to Keaʻau to report the robbery to police.

The victim was initially treated by Hawaiʻi Fire Department medics. He was later treated at Hilo Medical Center for minor injuries and released.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation, which is classified as second-degree robbery and first-degree terroristic threatening.

Police ask that anyone with information on this case or who may know the whereabouts of Antoque call Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or email him at nserrao@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.

UPDATED (4/12/2013)

Bernard Antoque

Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested and charged 31-year-old Bernard K. Antoque, who was wanted in connection with the robbery of a taxi driver in Hilo.

Antoque, who has no permanent address, was arrested Thursday evening (April 11) on suspicion of robbery and held at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

At 3:40 p.m. Friday (April 12), after conferring with prosecutors, detectives charged him with first-degree terroristic threatening, third-degree theft and fourth-degree theft. His bail was set at $37,000. He remains at the cellblock pending his initial court appearance on Monday (April 15).

On April 6, at 10:07 a.m., police received a report from a 59-year-old taxi driver that after he picked up a fare in the Banyan Drive area, he transported him to the Mountain View area in Puna. The fare claimed he did not have money to pay for the ride and asked to be taken to another location. After the driver refused, the fare assaulted and threatened the driver and took the driver’s bag containing cash. The driver forced the fare out of the cab and drove to Keaʻau to report the robbery to police.

The victim was initially treated by Hawaiʻi Fire Department medics. He was later treated at Hilo Medical Center for minor injuries and released.