MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are searching for a 20-year-old Puna man who escaped from police custody while he was being detained for robbery last week.

Xanthin Berdon, 20, of Hawaiian Beaches is described as Hawaiian, 5-foot-9, about 135 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.

He escaped from police custody in Hawaiian Beaches while he was being detained for his suspected role in the robbery of a 60-year-old Mountain View man on July 20. The victim was injured and his car was stolen after he gave a ride to several young adults and juveniles.

Police ask that anyone with information on Berdon’s whereabouts call Detective Paul Fukuda at 961-2381 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.