Home invasion reported in Puna

Police are investigating a reported home invasion Wednesday night in Puna.

At about 8 p.m. Wednesday, police received a call of a robbery at a home in the Fern Forest subdivision in Mountain View. Two women residents, ages 64 and 50, reported hearing loud noises and the sound of a man yelling, “police” outside their house.

The 50-year-old woman reported that two men forced their way into the house, one brandishing a bat-like object, and demanded money. He took an undisclosed amount of money, as well as the victim’s phone, and fled from the house.

Both victims reported hearing gunshots coming from the direction of the roadway fronting the house. The suspects are believed to have fled in separate vehicles, described as a light sedan and a dark sedan. While awaiting the arrival of police, the 64-year-old woman reported that her handbag and its contents had been stolen during the robbery.

The suspect with the bat is described as about 5-foot-9 and wearing jeans, a dark blue baseball cap, a black “hoodie,” and a blue-and-white bandana over his face.

The victims were unable to provide a physical description of the other suspect.

Neither victim was injured during the incident, which is being investigated as first-degree burglary, second-degree robbery and second-degree reckless endangering cases.

Anyone with information on this incident or any potential witnesses are asked to call the police non-emergency line at 935-3311 or to contact Detective Clarence Davies at 961-2384 or cdavies@co.hawaii.hi.us. Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.