Dye pack explodes during robber's escape

Advertiser Staff

An exploding dye pack foiled a man who robbed the Kapahulu branch of Bank of Hawaii yesterday, police said.

The robbery occurred at 1:10 p.m. when the man walked up to a teller, lifted his shirt to show a gun, and demanded money, police said. The teller gave him a packet of money with a security device designed to explode with dye if removed from the bank.

The robber walked out of the bank at 727 Kapahulu Ave., and was seen walking makai when the packet exploded. Money was recovered near the Taco Bell restaurant, police said.

The robber was described as 30 to 40 years old, about 6 feet 2 and 180 pounds. He has salt-and-pepper, neck-length hair and a dark complexion.

Anyone with information about this robbery may call Detective James Nobriga at 692-4507, CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or *CRIME on a cell phone.