UPDATE: Police Clear Individuals in Photos, Kīhei Robbery

By Maui Now Staff

***(UPDATE: 4:47 p.m. 4/11/14) – Maui police say the individuals pictured in photos they had released yesterday have since been cleared as suspects. According to police, the male individual in the photos had borrowed the phone from a friend, and was not aware that the phone was stolen. Since releasing the photos, police say they questioned a total of three individuals and have since cleared all three, noting that they have all been cooperative with authorities. The case remains under investigation.

(Original Post: 4/10/14)

The Maui Police Department today released photos saying they are seeking the public’s help in identifying individuals regarding a report of second-degree robbery and vehicle theft last month in Kīhei.

The incident was reported at around 10:55 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, in the beach area along South Kīhei Road.

Police say the male victim was driving home from Wailea when he decided to stop near Mai Poina ʻOe Ia ʻU Park in the area of the ʻOhukai/South Kīhei Road intersection to walk along the beach since he had been drinking.

According to earlier police reports, the victim went for a walk along the beach in the Wailea direction when he was approached by three men described as local and in their early 20s, wearing dark jeans and dark hoodies.

Police say the men asked if the victim had $5 for gas, and he told them he did in his vehicle.

Police say the victim briefly lost consciousness and fell to the ground when he was attacked from behind by two of the men who allegedly punched him on the side of the head.

According to police reports, the perpetrators stole the victim’s pants and vehicle keys before stealing his vehicle, which was described as a 1987 Gold Jeep Grand Cherokee, with license plate number LBU776.

Police say the suspects were last seen headed north on South Kīhei Road.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Myrna Sabas-Ryder with the department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (808) 244-6433 or 875-5412, or Central Dispatch at (808) 244-6400.

While police released the photos, they did not identify the individuals pictured as suspects.  The public is reminded that the information provided by authorities is part of an investigation, and all parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.