KEALAKEKUA — It was a quiet afternoon at the American Savings Bank off Mamalahoa Highway in Kealakekua until a man absent shoes strolled in and cranked up the proverbial volume.
The bank floor was empty and only two employees stood behind the counter when the unidentified suspect entered the building at approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday. He demanded money from employees under penalty of harm from a weapon CID Captain Chad Basque said was never produced.
“He said he had one,” Basque explained, “but he didn’t brandish a weapon.”
Oddly enough, also missing from the perpetrator’s arsenal was a pair of shoes, according to the initial report from Hawaii County Police.
The suspect’s image, captured by security cameras, did show he was otherwise clothed in a blue shirt with a white, triangular emblem on the front, floral print shorts and a pair of sunglasses. Basque mentioned a pair of Nike slider slippers, but it was unclear if the perpetrator was wearing them, carrying them or lost them as he fled.
Basque further described the suspect as a local male of medium build with short hair, likely in his late 30s. Neither of the bank employees recognized the man and both declined to comment on the incident.
No mask, no shoes, likely no weapon and no bag in which to carry his loot, the unprepared perpetrator fled on foot across the highway and then made his way down toward McDonald’s. It was there he was last observed before absconding to an unknown location somewhere off the main drag through town.
On-site investigation was still ongoing as of 5:30 p.m., at which time Basque was yet unable to provide concrete details on whether the suspect attempted to rob or succeeded in robbing anything other than teller drawers.
The official statement from Basque was that the perpetrator made off with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was hurt during the incident.
Basque added that bank robbery is a rare crime on Hawaii Island.
“I’ve been the CID Captain for six years now,” Basque said, “and definitely, this is my first bank robbery.”
The ill-conceived, ill-considered manner in which the suspect carried out the crime makes it all the more peculiar.
Police ask anyone with information on the suspect or the robbery to contact the department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers at 961-8300. Crime Stoppers keeps all information confidential.