Full Notification

Hawaiʻi Police Department
Juvenile Aid Section
Lieutenant Lucille Melemai
Phone: (808) 961-2254
Report No. C17026252



Media Release (update no. 2)

On Thursday, (September 21), at 3:40 p.m., Hawaiʻi Island police charged 19-year-old David John Erlenbach with kidnapping, two counts of abuse of a family or household member, second-degree terroristic threatening and harassment by stalking.

At approximately 1:15 a.m., Wednesday morning, (September 20), a 19-year-old female reported that an adult male known to her held her against her will within his vehicle. While on Kinoʻole Street near the intersection with Lanikāula Street, after several failed attempts to get out of the car, she was able to unlock the door, exit the vehicle and immediately began yelling for help. She received the assistance of nearby residents who called police as the suspect fled the area.

Erlenbach is being held at the Hilo cellblock in lieu of $66,000 bail pending his initial court appearance scheduled for (September 22).

Police ask anyone with any knowledge about this investigation to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Fetuutuunai Amuimuia at (808) 961-2278 or via email at [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at (808) 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. Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.