Man arrested in Hilo carjacking

Police are investigating an apparent carjacking that occurred last night in a parking lot of a Hilo shopping complex.

On Wednesday at about 6:38 p.m., police responded to the parking lot of Target on Puainako Avenue after receiving a report from a 24 year-old Hilo man that as he was about to enter his late model Hyundai sedan, he was accosted by a local male who brandished a weapon and threatened the victim. The suspect acquired the keys to the vehicle from the victim prior to fleeing the parking lot in the vehicle.

An islandwide bulletin was issued and the vehicle was located in the Pohoiki area late last night.

A 19-year-old former Mountain View man was taken into custody and remains in the police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continue the investigation, which is classified as a first degree robbery and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

A 14-year-old female who was with the suspect at the time of his arrest was interviewed by detectives and released to her parents.

Detectives are also reviewing video surveillance footage that was recovered from Target. The victim was not injured during the incident.

Police ask that anyone with information on this case or may have witnessed the robbery to call Detective Clarence Davies III at 961-2384 or by email at cdavies@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Grant Todd at 961-2385 or email at gtodd@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.