Posted at 3:27 p.m., Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Witnesses sought in attempted robbery on Big Island
Advertiser Staff
Big Island police are looking for witnesses to an incident involving a man who allegedly robbed a 67-year-old woman at knife point Monday.A 67-year-old woman reported she was shopping at a discount retail store on Kinoole Street just before 4 p.m. when she was approached by a young man she didn't know, police said.
The man claimed to have a knife and threatened the woman and others around her unless the woman gave him money. The woman did not give the man any money and was able to persuade him to leave the area without hurting anyone, police said. The man never pulled the knife.
Responding patrol officers searched for the suspect, who fled on foot, but were unable to locate him. The woman was shaken but did not sustain any physical injuries and did not require any medical attention, police said.
Detectives assigned to the Police Department's Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation and arrested 23-year-old Michael Foster at a Panaewa home today.
He was taken to the Hilo cellblock. He remains there while detectives continue their investigation.
Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the attempted robbery or who has any information about the case to call Detective Lucille Melemai at 961-2377 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
