Police Seek Suspects in Armed Robbery, Shooting Incidents

Three suspects are being sought by the Hawai’i Police Department in connection to an armed robbery that occurred Monday afternoon in Puna.

Officers say the robbery was followed by an incident involving a gunshot three hours later.

Police responded to a call around 4:55 p.m. and met with a 29-year-old man who told them that he had exited his driveway in a pickup truck and pulled to the side of the road. The man reported that a small sedan pulled up behind him and three suspects exited the vehicle and ordered him to give them his truck at gunpoint. HPD reports that the suspects had their faces covered. The suspects left the area in both vehicles.

Police recovered the vehicle at the intersection of Pohaku Drive and 37^th Avenue in Orchidland shortly after 8 p.m. According to HPD, an acquaintance of the victim saw the truck in the parking lot of a local business and followed it into Orchidland. The driver of the stolen truck fired at least one shot, according to police, after being confronted by the acquaintance. The truck was then abandoned and the driver fled by foot.

Area I Criminal Investigations Section detectives continue to investigate the incident.

HPD warns the public to avoid approaching the suspect and to call HPD.

Anyone who has information about the initial incident or the one involving the firing of a weapon should call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Those who would rather remain anonymous can call the Big Island Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300.