Hawaii Island police are investigating a reported armed robbery Monday afternoon in Hilo.
Shortly before 3 p.m., the Hawaii Police Department received a call from a 66-year-old Hilo man who reported that while he was walking in Lokahi Park, he was approached by two masked suspects who brandished firearms, demanded money and forced him into the park’s restroom. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of cash from the victim before fleeing the area. The victim was not injured in the incident, which is being classified as a kidnapping, first-degree robbery and second-degree theft.
Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section responded to the scene and are continuing the investigation.
Although both suspects were wearing masks, the victim indicated that they are likely males and spoke with heavy accents.
One is described as being between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9, about 135 pounds and was wearing a black shirt, black pants and black shoes.
The second suspect was described as being between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9, about 200 pounds and was wearing black pants and a black “hoodie.”
Anyone with any information about this incident or anyone who may know the identity of the suspects should call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Tuckloy Aurello at 961-2385 or tuckloy.aurello@hawaiicounty.gov.
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. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.