Hawaiʻi Island Police Alert Banks After Inmates Escape

Jarvis Higa (left), and Ryan Jeffries-Hamar (right). Courtesy photos.

By Wendy Osher

Hawaiʻi County Police say they have received information that two inmates who escaped from Hawaiʻi Community Correctional Center on Wednesday allegedly intend to rob a bank.

Because of the information, police say they have issued recommendations for heightened security measures at financial institutions.

One of the suspects, Jarvis Naoki Higa, 35, is described as about 5-feet-6-inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with short black hair and tattoos on his chest.

Police say Higa is considered dangerous and may be armed.  He was being held at the facility awaiting trial for an attempted murder charge, in which he is accused of allegedly shooting at a 34-year-old Hilo man in July of this year, police said.

The other suspect is identified as Ryan James Jeffries-Hamar, 31, who police say was awaiting trial for a previous escape from the Hale Nani facility in August of this year. Jeffries-Hamar is described as 5-foot-7, about 170 pounds, with blue eyes and short reddish-brown hair.  Police say he is considered dangerous.

Police first reported the escape on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, saying the two were last seen in the Sunrise Ridge subdivision.  Later in the day, an advisory was issued saying one or both of them may try to hitchhike to Kona.

Police cautioned the public not to approach the suspected, and urge the public to call 911 if they see either individual.