UPDATE: Suspect Arrested in Robbery of Pepeekeo Credit Union

***Updated at 10:09 a.m. Friday, May 31.***

Police have arrested a 37-year-old Honomu man in connection with Thursday’s robbery of a Pepeekeo credit union.

Police said they were conducting an island-wide search for Kris R. Villasista when he turned himself in at the Kona police station at about 6:05 p.m. Thursday.

Villasista was arrested on suspicion of robbery , theft and terroristic threatening.

He was then moved to the Hilo police cellblock. He remained there Friday without charges while police continued their investigation.

Police have renewed their request to the public for information on the case. Det. Joel Field can be contacted at 961-2381 or [email protected].

Posted at 6:33 p.m. Thursday:

A masked man wielding a handgun robbed a Pepeekeo credit union early this afternoon.

The location of the Hamakua Coast Federal Credit Union on Kaakepa Street is shown in this modified Google Street View image (click to enlarge).

Police said the man walked into the Hamakua Coast Community Federal Credit Union on Kaakepa Street, pointed what appeared to be a handgun at two tellers and demanded cash.

He fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

No one was injured in the incident that occurred shortly after 1 p.m.

The suspect was described as possibly in his 30s. He stood between 5-foot-8 and 6-feet tall and had a husky build.

He was wearing dark glasses, baseball cap, sweatshirt and camouflage pants. He was also carrying a black backpack.

The Hamakua Coast Federal Credit Union in Pepeekeo. Google Street View image.

The man had a fluorescent green cloth over his face.

Police ask that anyone with any information about this case contact Detective Joel Field at 961-2381 or by email at [email protected]. Callers may also call the police department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.