MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a robbery early Tuesday (March 29) in Puna.

A 28-year-old Pāhoa man reported that he was robbed around 3:50 a.m. while he was hitchhiking on Highway 130 in the area of Kaloli Drive. Following the robbery, the victim was able to flee from the car on foot when it pulled over near Makuʻu Drive.

The vehicle is described as a light-colored four-door sedan. It had several occupants.

Police ask anyone with information about this case or anyone who may have witnessed this incident to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Officer Duane Rapoza at 965-2716.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island wide Crime Stoppers number 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.