MEDIA RELEASE

Hawai’i Police Department detectives are requesting the public’s help in identifying two suspects in a reported robbery on Banyan Drive on Sunday, February 21.

A 29-year-old woman reported that she was walking along Banyan Drive fronting the Otto Rose banyan tree around 8:45 p.m. when she was accosted by two women who beat her and stole her purse. The victim received injuries to her head, face and neck.

The first suspect is described as a local female in her early 20s, approximately 5-foot-8, with a skinny build and dark hair. She was last seen wearing a striped tube-top and dark pants.

The second suspect is described as a local female, approximately 5-foot-4, wearing shorts and a short, tight jacket that may have been white.

The shorter of the two women took the victim’s bag and then both suspects immediately left the area. The shorter suspect ran toward Coconut Island and the taller suspect ran toward the Naniloa hotel.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case or anyone who may have witnessed this incident call Lieutenant Mitch Kanehailua at 961-2252 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.