Police Investigate Puna Robbery

Hawaiʻi Island Police are investigating a residential robbery that occurred around 8 p.m. Wednesday night in Puna.

According to a Hawai’i County Police Department press release, the robbery occurred at a home in the Fern Forest subdivision in Mountain View.

Two females were said to hear loud noises and the sound of a man yelling “police” outside their house.

One woman reported two men forced their way into the house, one with a bat-like object, and demanding money. He is said to have taken an undisclosed amount of money, as well as a phone before leaving the house.

Both victims reported hearing gunshots coming from the direction of the roadway fronting the house. The suspects are believed to have fled in separate vehicles, described as a light sedan and a dark sedan. While awaiting the arrival of police,the other woman said  her handbag had been stolen during the robbery.

The suspect with the bat is described as about 5-foot-9 and wearing jeans, a dark blue baseball cap, a black “hoodie,” and a blue-and-white bandana over his face.

The victims were unable to observe the second suspect and could not provide a physical description.

Neither victim sustained any injuries during the incident, which is being classified as first-degree burglary, second-degree robbery and second-degree reckless endangering cases.

The incident is currently under investigation and anyone with information may call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Clarence Davies at 961-2384 or [email protected].

Anyone with information may also call the Crime Stoppers number and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.