19 year old assaulted while sleeping in van

Media release by Hawaii County Police

KALAPANA, Hawaii: Big Island police are investigating a reported robbery early Saturday morning in Kalapana.

A 19-year-old man was asleep in a white sedan parked on the ocean side shoulder area of Route 137 about 200 to 300 feet north of the turnaround area. He reported that he had attended an event held at a local establishment earlier in the evening.

While in the vehicle two unknown males reportedly broke into the vehicle and assaulted the victim. During the assault an unknown female also entered the vehicle and stole property from the victim. The suspects then fled the area, possibly in a pickup truck. The victim sustained minor injuries but declined medical treatment.

One of the male suspects is described as possibly Japanese with a short stocky build and a fair complexion. He was wearing jeans and a black “Tap Out” T-shirt.

The other male suspect is described as approximately 5-foot-3 with a fair complexion and buzzed hair.

The female suspect is described as local with a dark complexion and brown shoulder-length hair. She was wearing blue jeans and a blue tank top.

The incident is classified as a robbery, an unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, and an assault.

Police ask that anyone with information on this case contact Detective Derek Morimoto at 961-2380 or email him at dmorimoto@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.