Police release composite sketch of suspect in Puna robbery

KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police have released a composite sketch of a suspect who is wanted in connection to a man robbed at gunpoint in Puna.

The robbery occurred Friday morning at the Copper Center on Wright Road in Volcano. When officers responded to the scene at 10:18 a.m. they encountered the victim, a 37-year-old Hilo man who told them he had been approached by a suspect who brandished a pistol and demanded his motorcycle.

According to the Hawaii Police Department, the victim ran from the area after the suspect raised the gun and fired a shot into the air. The suspect chased after the victim and was able to take the motorcycle keys when the victim tripped and fell. The suspect then left the scene on the stolen motorcycle. The victim suffered abrasions from the fall.

The suspect is a man in his 20s described as being about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds with a slim build and tan complexion. He had straight black hair that was pulled into a ponytail and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt.

The suspect arrived in a gray Honda sedan with two other unidentified occupants. Both the suspect and the sedan was last seen fleeing the area on Wright Road toward Highway 11.

The stolen motorcycle is described as a red, 2013 Honda CRF250L bearing Hawaii license plate 188 XNX.

The public is not advised to approach the suspect who is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about this incident, should call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Kayne Kelii of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2378 or Kayne.Kelii@hawaiicounty.gov.