Man on bike mugs pedestrians
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
Police yesterday warned the public about a robber in Makiki and the Punchbowl area who rides up to pedestrians on a bicycle, hits them on the head with a brick or rock and steals their money.
Police yesterday released a sketch and description of a suspect in six assaults of pedestrians in Makiki and the Punchbowl area since April 9. The man is believed to be 30 to 40 years old, with a dark complexion, short, curly black hair and an unshaven face. He is of medium build and weighs 180 to 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a short-sleeve T-shirt and riding a dark-colored bicycle. Police ask anyone with information about this case to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.
The robber has struck six victims since April 9, police said. The most recent attack was June 2.
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Sam Mitchell, a Makiki Neighborhood Board member, said the attacks were unprecedented.
"There's been some really strange ones," he said, but "we've never had ones like this."
All of the victims were treated for their injuries at hospitals and released, said police Sgt. Kim Capllonch. Some were knocked unconscious.
"There is no rhyme or reason; this is a crime of opportunity," she said. "People are out walking by themselves."
Police said the victims were attacked from behind, complicating efforts to come up with a composite sketch. Only one of the victims saw the assailant, and a sketch released yesterday is based on that witness.
"By the time they realized what happened, they were not all able to give us a description," Capllonch said.
The attacks have been in lower Makiki and the Punchbowl area, and took place on Kapi'olani and Vineyard boulevards, Pawa'a Lane, and Pensacola, Young, Ke'eaumoku and Queen Emma streets, police said. The crimes have occurred between 7:50 p.m. and 3 a.m.
In the first reported incident, a man saw someone ride past him on a bike before he was clubbed with a brick.
The victim stumbled into his car, where he lost consciousness, police said. He awoke and found his belongings gone and a brick in the car.
The latest attack occurred at 2:20 a.m. on June 2.
The victims have been hit in the head or face, and some have lost consciousness. In each case, the victim's purse or wallet was taken, police said. The man approaches and escapes on a bicycle.
Capllonch urged pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings. She also said that people should avoid walking alone at night.
Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8110.
