DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
An investigator dusted for fingerprints yesterday on a white Ford van that police suspected was used as a getaway car in the robbery of the American Savings Bank in the Aiea Shopping Center. The van was abandoned shortly afterward across the street on Lilia Place.
The FBI and Honolulu police are looking for two masked gunmen who robbed the American Savings Bank branch at the Aiea Shopping Center yesterday afternoon. Aiea American Savings
robbed at gunpointBy Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.comOne robber allegedly vaulted over the bank counter, yelled orders to bank employees and grabbed money, then jumped back over the counter. The second robber told bank patrons not to move and gave directions to the first robber, police said.
Both men carried handguns but no shots were fired during the 2:25 p.m. robbery, police said.
The robbers fled in a stolen 2001 white Ford Windstar van, which was recovered across the street from the bank on Lilia Place at 2:50 p.m. Police said the van was reported stolen on Wednesday from the Mapunapuna area.
The robber who grabbed the cash was described as in his early to mid-20s, 5 feet 10 and about 230 pounds with a muscular build.
He was wearing a black ski-type mask, a multicolored long-sleeve sweater, bluejeans and dark boots.
The other robber was described as in his early to mid-20s, 5 feet 10 and about 180 pounds with a slim build. He was wearing a nylon-stocking type mask, a black long-sleeve sweater, bluejeans and dark boots.
Police said the last armed bank robbery on Oahu was on Dec. 21, 2001.
Three men -- all with stocking masks and shotguns -- robbed the Windward Community Federal Credit Union at 629-A Kailua Road.
Two of the robbers climbed over the bank counter, yelled demands and grabbed money. They fled in a stolen white van, which was later abandoned a short distance from the credit union. The robbers all were described as 6 feet tall, 200 to 220 pounds with heavy or muscular builds.
Anyone with any information is asked to call detective Gordon Makashima at 529-3383. Anonymous calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
