Thanks awaits reluctant 'hero'
By Kalani Wilhelm
Advertiser Staff Writer
Honolulu police are looking for a woman so they can commend her for assisting an off-duty detective who helped capture a bank robbery suspect Tuesday afternoon.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Detective Robert Cravalho helped in the arrest of the 34-year-old suspect following a 12-minute pursuit from the Kapiolani-Kaheka branch of American Savings Bank to Ala Wai Boulevard and Pau Street in Waikiki.
"The real heroes of this story were the people that were willing to assist me," Detective Robert Cravalho said.
During the chase, Cravalho said he stopped the woman's sport utility vehicle and asked her to follow the suspect, who had caught a taxi.
"We want to locate the (woman) so we can make a recommendation for her actions," Cravalho said.
The suspect is accused of robbing the bank and getting into a cab on Kapiolani Boulevard.
Cravalho said he was on his way to the bank when he saw the suspect running away. It was not until a bank teller told the detective that the bank had been robbed that Cravalho chased the suspect and saw him get into the cab.
Cravalho said he stopped Waikiki-bound traffic and asked a woman driving an SUV if she could give him a lift. The detective, who was in street clothes, said the woman was "surprised and not too willing, initially."
"I told her, 'You are not going to believe this, but I'm a police officer and I'm following this guy who just robbed a bank,' " he said.
Cravalho said the woman felt more at ease, but was still somewhat reluctant. "I don't think she really wanted to be involved in the apprehension of a robbery suspect," Cravalho said. "I just wanted her to help me follow him."
Cravalho said they went three blocks before the suspect got out of the cab and headed toward the McCully bridge.
He said he gave the woman his business card, got out of the SUV and ran after the suspect. He said he received help from two men who gave him directions about where the suspect went, but he took a wrong turn. When he finally got to the suspect, another officer was already there.
Although it was a short ride, Cravalho praised the woman for her courage and willingness to help.
He said a commendation recommendation will be submitted for the two men, but police do not know the identity of the woman.
"That's really what this story is about," Cravalho said. "The real heroes of this story were the people that were willing to assist me."
