Police seeking suspect in South Kohala robbery

Hawai‘i island police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect responsible for a robbery at a South Kohala restaurant on Dec. 22.

At approximately 10:55 p.m., on Friday, South Kohala patrol officers responded to a restaurant in the 69-0000 block of Ku‘uali‘i Place in Waikoloa, after a 44-year-old male employee reported that while he was sitting in his office he heard the door open and a male voice demand the money from the safe. The employee reported being struck in the face with an open hand slap three times during the course of the robbery, with the suspect exiting the establishment with cash from the safe.

Shortly thereafter, a witness reported seeing a pickup truck (unknown make/model) leaving the area traveling north.

The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5-feet-11 inches tall, wearing a gray hoodie, black pants, black shoes, and a disposable light blue face mask.

The Area II Criminal Investigation Section is continuing this investigation.

Police ask anyone who may know the identity of the suspect to call the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311, or Det. Cacique Melendez of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-326-4646, ext. 262 or email Cacique.Melendez@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.