Hitchhiker Charged in Assault and Robbery of Driver

An 18-year-old Hilo man was charged today with robbery and car theft for allegedly assaulting a man who had picked him up hitchhiking and then driving off in his vehicle late last month.

A 26-year-old Keaau man told police that he picked up Michael Gary Perreira-Thompson and an unidentified woman hitchhiking near the intersection of Highway 130 and Ainaloa Boulevard at about 2 a.m. on Aug. 30.

The Keaau man drove the couple at their request to the lower portion of the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision. Once there, Perreira-Thompson allegedly assaulted the driver who then exited the vehicle. The suspect then drove off with his female companion in the Keaau man’s car.

Police later located the vehicle in HPP.

Perreira-Thompson was arrested this morning and charged this afternoon with second-degree robbery and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. His bail was set at $35,000.

The victim declined treatment for injuries sustained in the attack.