Full Notification

Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section, Area II
Lieutenant Gerald Wike
Phone: 326-4646, Ext. 266
Report No. C15019257


Media Release

Hawaiʻi Island police are seeking witnesses to an encounter Wednesday (July 1) between a Japanese tourist and two unknown men in the Waikoloa resort area.

At 5:23 p.m. Wednesday, South Kohala officers responded to a report of a robbery fronting a shopping area on Waikoloa Beach Drive near the intersection of Kuʻualiʻi Place.

A 63-year-old man from Fukuoka, Japan, reported that at approximately 4:15 p.m., he had been returning to his hotel when a man approached him and began to speak with him. During the conversation, a second man approached the victim from behind, grabbed a bag from his hand and then ran east on Waikoloa Beach Road.

The victim was not threatened or injured during the incident.

The first suspect was described as 5-foot-7 with short hair. He was wearing shorts and a shirt that were described as either green or gray. The victim was unable to describe the second suspect.

The stolen Hermes brand bag is described as a white and black. It contained the victim’s wallet and other personal items.

Police ask anyone who witnessed this incident or who knows the identity of the suspects to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Sandor Finkey at 326-4646, extension 281, or [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide 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 doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.