MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are investigating a robbery that occurred Thursday morning (January 6) within the parking lot of a shopping mall between Kuakini Highway and Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona.

Kona patrol officers responding to a 02:54 a. m. call made contact with a 25-year-old Kailua-Kona man. He said he had been at a Kailua-Kona nightclub that evening and while walking in the parking lot was struck from behind and knocked unconscious. When he regained consciousness, his backpack was missing. Hawai’i Fire Department medical units responded but the man refused medical treatment.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case call Detective Myra Iwamoto at 326-4646, extension 281, 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 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.