Big Island police are asking the public’s help locating a man who reportedly brandished and pointed a firearm at a University of Hawaii at Hilo employee Monday morning at the college’s upper campus.
The 25-year-old employee reported to police that around 9 a.m., while he was near the upper campus, he was accosted by a man who allegedly brandished a firearm and pointed it at him before fleeing the area in a black Toyota pickup truck, according to the Hawaii County Police Department. The victim, who was not injured in the incident, left the campus and went home to Puna before calling police around 10 a.m. to report the threat.
The suspect was described as being ‘local,’ in his 30s with a dark complexion and a neatly trimmed beard with long sideburns to his chin, according to police. He was wearing black sunglasses at the time.
The truck was described as a lifted black Toyota Tacoma with black rims and dark black tint, according to police. It also has a white “NSPYR” sticker near the vehicle’s fuel door.
Police advise the public not to approach the truck, because the operator may be armed and is considered dangerous.
Anyone with information about the case or the identity or whereabouts of the suspect or vehicle should call the department’s nonermegency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Clarence Davies at 961-2384 or cdavies@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hil. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.