KAILUA-KONA — Police are looking for Russell Monlux, a man wanted in connection with a bank robbery Tuesday in Kealakekua. ADVERTISING KAILUA-KONA — Police are looking for Russell Monlux, a man wanted in connection with a bank robbery Tuesday in
KAILUA-KONA — Police are looking for Russell Monlux, a man wanted in connection with a bank robbery Tuesday in Kealakekua.
That afternoon, employees at American Savings Bank reported a man entered the bank and passed a note to a teller demanding cash before fleeing on foot.
The man reportedly was wearing a blue shirt, blue and white surf shorts, slippers and glasses. He previously was described by police as barefoot.
An investigator at the scene said the robber claimed to have a weapon, but didn’t brandish one.
The suspect then allegedly made off with an undisclosed amount of money. Police said nobody was injured during the incident.
An investigation and tip from the public led police to identify Monlux, 30, as a suspect.
Police said Monlux doesn’t have a permanent address but frequents locations in East and West Hawaii.
He is described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall with a medium build, brown eyes and short dark brown hair.
Police said the public shouldn’t approach him as he might be armed and dangerous.
Anyone with knowledge about his whereabouts should call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Detective David Matsushima at 326-4646, ext. 224.
Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Hawaii Police Department Criminal Investigations Division Capt. Chad Basque said Tuesday that bank robbery is a rare crime on Hawaii Island.
“I’ve been the CID captain for six years now,” Basque said, “and definitely, this is my first bank robbery.”
A search for records of bank robberies showed the last reported bank robbery in Kona happened on Christmas Eve 2003 when a male suspect robbed a Bank of Hawaii branch in Keauhou.
Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.
