Kaua‘i police continue to investigate leads in connection with Saturday morning’s bank robbery at the Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e. According to assistant chief Roy Asher, the investigative unit used the First Hawaiian Bank’s internal security footage to compile its
Kaua‘i police continue to investigate leads in connection with Saturday morning’s bank robbery at the Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e.
According to assistant chief Roy Asher, the investigative unit used the First Hawaiian Bank’s internal security footage to compile its initial description of the suspect — a Caucasian male in his 40s, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall, wearing a tan shirt, dark shorts and a dark-colored University of Hawai‘i baseball cap.
The KPD also received assistance from Kukui Grove security, but has no further information on the suspect, a possible getaway vehicle or any possible accomplices.
A representative of Kukui Grove’s property management company said that the mall was “still working with the police and delivered digital imagery to them in support of their investigation.”
The representative, who asked not to be identified, explained that the digital imagery consisted of color video surveillance in the 24-hour period surrounding the 11:40 a.m. incident and that police were reviewing the full day’s footage in search of additional information.
Furthermore, according to the representative, security and police set up caution tape near the scene immediately following the incident, keeping the area free of both vehicle and foot traffic.
A bank representative contacted by The Garden Island said that she was “not allowed to comment on Saturday’s incident” but did explain that the bank was closed as scheduled on both Sunday and Memorial Day and the branch’s hours “will remain the same.”
Asher estimated that Kaua‘i’s last bank robbery occurred roughly four or five years ago and was solved. He sees no evident connections to other robberies.
He guessed that Kaua‘i has experienced a bank robbery at the rate of “one every five years or so.”
When asked about any weapons used in the robbery, Asher said, “Nothing was brandished” and that he didn’t believe that the suspect told the teller he had a gun or a knife.
The assistant police chief also corrected initial reports that placed police response time at 15 minutes.
He explained that the bank’s robbery procedure delayed a call to the police, and that once the emergency call was received, officers were on the scene in less than three minutes.
Police and investigators are still seeking information. To report information about the robbery, call Police Dispatch at 241-1711, Detective Trent Shimabukuro at 241-1692 or Crime Stoppers at 241-1887.
• Michael Levine, staff writer, can be reached via e-mail at mlevine@kauaipubco.com
