MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police are investigating a reported robbery that occurred early Friday morning (November 9) in Hilo.

At about 12:20 a.m., an 18-year-old Hilo woman reported that she was on Haili Street near the Palace Theatre in Hilo when she was confronted by several individuals who assaulted her and stole her handbag. The suspects fled the area on foot toward Kinoʻole Street.

The victim sustained minor injuries but declined medical treatment.

Responding officers located two Hilo women, 23-year-old Tyaony Luis-Kahalioumi and 20-year-old Lile Fifta Nau, and arrested them on suspicion of second-degree robbery and third-degree assault. Twenty-year-old Salilo Bruce Sele-Pang, also of Hilo, was arrested for fourth-degree theft. All three are being held at the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continue the investigation.

Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any information about it contact Detective Grant Todd at 961-2385 or gtodd@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Nobert Serrao Jr. at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

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.