Tourist’s Jaw Broken in Kona Assault, Robbery

Big Island police said a visitor from California was attacked and robbed Monday night in the parking lot of a Kailua-Kona commercial plaza.

The 50-year-old Los Angeles man was walking in the rear parking lot of the Ali`i Sunset Plaza when he was assaulted by two men in a group of males. One struck him on the chin with an unknown object and took an undisclosed amount of cash from his pocket. The other male struck him in the face with his fist.

The victim sustained a broken jaw, loss of teeth and a cut to the chin. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released.

The suspects left the area in a small white sports-utility vehicle.

The attack took place at about 10:35 p.m. in the plaza located between Ali`i Drive and Kuakini Highway.

The first suspect, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was described as a short and stocky local male between 21 and 25 years old with spiked hair. He was wearing white shorts and a white shirt.

The second suspect, the driver, was about 5-foot-10 and thin, possibly in his 20s, with a dark complexion and black, curly hair.

Police ask that anyone with information on the incident or the identities of the suspects call Det. Sean Smith at 326-4646, Ext. 262.

Anonymous calls can be made to Crime Stoppers at 329-8181.