MEDIA RELEASE

Police have identified the victim of an assault that resulted in a large deposit of blood left fronting a vacant establishment in Puna.

At about 7:30 a.m. June 26, detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section and evidence specialists responded to a report of blood discovered in an alcove fronting a closed business establishment in Pahoa.

After an extensive search in the neighboring business area using a scent discriminating canine, police could not locate a victim or any additional evidence.

On Aug. 26, detectives were able to verify previously obtained information on the identity of the victim, who is a 60-year-old Pahoa man.

He reported he had been in an altercation with an unidentified man in Pahoa and that during the confrontation he had sustained a superficial head wound and did not seek treatment.

Police ask anyone with information about the confrontation to contact Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 or 329-8181 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.