Hawaii Island police say an incident on June 15 in Naalehu reported on social media and cable news as an attempted child abduction was apparently a misunderstanding.
Hawaii Island police say an incident on June 15 in Naalehu reported on social media and cable news as an attempted child abduction was apparently a misunderstanding.
The Hawaii Police Department said Tuesday it had completed its investigation into the incident in which a man reportedly approached a vehicle at a business establishment in Naalehu and attempted to gain entry into the vehicle. Within the vehicle were two unattended minors.
“This incident was reported on Social Media as an attempted child abduction,” a statement from the department reads. “Although the event did occur, the circumstances were determined to be of a non-criminal nature.”
After reviewing video in that area and conducting an investigation, a detective was able to interview all parties involved and determined that a 60-year-old man was inside the store in Naalehu when he met a 53-year-old male acquaintance. During a conversation, the 53-year-old man offered the acquaintance a ride to his home.
As both parties left the business establishment the 60-year-old man approached the wrong truck and attempted to get in. After realizing that he was at the wrong truck the 60-year-old walked into the driveway area, waved in apology and waited for his acquaintance to turn his vehicle around and pick him up before leaving the area.
“Due to innocent parties and members of the public being present in the videos observed by the police, the videos are not being released,” police said.
