Hawaii Island police are investigating an armed robbery in late May in the Hamakua area.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. May 25, police responded to Waipio Valley after receiving a report from a 54-year-old Florida man that while walking up Waipio Valley Road, a dark Jeep Wrangler drove past him and stopped approximately 50 yards away. The suspect reportedly exited the vehicle, approached the victim, pointed a shotgun at him and demanded his backpack. The victim refused to give the man his backpack and instead handed over an undisclosed amount of cash.
The victim was not injured in the robbery, according to Hawaii Police Department.
The suspect is described as a “local” male, approximately 5-foot-7, weighing 190 pounds, and having brown hair. He was wearing multicolored shorts. He was last seen getting back into the Jeep and leaving the area in the mauka direction, police said.
Anyone with any information about this incident or knows the identity of the suspect should contact Detective Dean Uyetake at 961-2379 or duyetetake@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.