Police received a report of a theft allegedly committed by two men impersonating police officers.
According to a written statement, police received a report at about 11:10 p.m. Sunday that a drowsy driver who had pulled over on the shoulder of Highway 19 in North Hilo near Maulua Gulch was awakened by a man who shined a flashlight in his face and said, “This is a police officer; let me see your ID.”
By the time the driver realized the man wasn’t an officer, another man opened his passenger-side door and took some property from inside the vehicle.
The two men are described as local, mid-20s to early-30s, about 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, with medium to stocky builds.
They drove away toward Hilo in a large-sized SUV.
The alleged victim told police the men weren’t in uniform, presented no police identification and didn’t use blue lights or a siren.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the police nonemergency number at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.