Man sought in string
of robberies in Kalihi
Police are looking for a man in his 20s believed to be responsible for using a knife and gun to rob five Kalihi businesses this month.
The suspect wore a bandanna over half his face, leaving only his eyes visible, Detective Michael Ogawa said.
The man typically "comes up, demands money, threatens the attendant and flees on foot," Ogawa said.
He hit two markets, a gas station twice and a Chinese restaurant between March 3 and Tuesday, police said.
The suspect was armed with either a knife or a black handgun in each of the five robberies, police said.
In the robbery at Seoul Market at 2019 Waterhouse St., the suspect was not wearing a mask when he held up the market's female owner at 8:23 p.m. March 4, while the store was still open.
The owner's daughter, who asked not to be named, said her mother described the suspect as a normal-looking guy.
"He didn't look scary at all," she said.
She said the suspect demanded money and threatened her mother with a knife.
Her mother was about to open the register, but their dog had been barking.
The robber took the entire register and left.
Her mother was scared, she said.
"I hope they find the guy," she said.
In the seven years her family has owned the store, no one had ever robbed it, she said.
Police believe the same man robbed a Shell gas station at 2066 Dillingham Blvd. twice, at 10:15 p.m. March 3 and 10:20 p.m. Tuesday.
The first time, he got away with $120, but the second time, the suspect got nothing.
In the second instance, the cashier had already put her cash in a safe, so her register was empty.
The suspect also allegedly struck at Hoy Tin Chop Suey Restaurant at 1727 Liliha St., at 7:30 p.m. March 8, just as the restaurant was closing, and at Corner Store, a market at 517 N. Vineyard Blvd., at 3:45 p.m. March 5.
The suspect is described as a man in his 20s, between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds, with a slim to medium build, dark, short curly hair, wearing a bandanna on his face, T-shirt and dark pants.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Detective Michael Ogawa at 529-3381.
Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-3800 or *CRIME on a cell phone.
