2 sought for impersonating police officer

Hawaii Island police are asking for the public’s help identifying two men who allegedly impersonated a police officer on Sunday on Highway 11 in the vicinity of Maulua Gulch.

The incident happened shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday in the vicinity of mile marker 21 in North Hilo. Police say a man reported that he pulled over to the shoulder of the highway after becoming drowsy and had fallen asleep when he was awakened with a flashlight being shined in his face.

He told officers that he heard a voice tell him, “This is a police officer; let me see your ID.” He then realized the man was not a police officer and saw a second person open his passenger door and remove items from within the vehicle, police said.

The two men then moved to the rear of the victim’s vehicle and left in a large sized SUV headed in the Hilo direction.

The two men were described as being local, in their mid-20s to early 30s, about 5 feet, 7 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with a medium to stocky build.

Police said they have determined that the two suspects were not uniform, presented no police identification and no blue lights or sirens were used.

Anyone with information on the incident should call Officer Amacias Valdez at 962-2120 or the department’s nonemergency number at 935-3311.