CRIMESTOPPERS
CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public's assistance in identifying and locating a male wanted for robbing the Pearlridge branch of Hickam Federal Credit Union at 98-1005 Moanalua Road.
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HPD seeks quick-change bandit
He has used elaborate disguises in 14 Oahu robberies, police say
A man who robbed the Pearlridge branch of the Hickam Federal Credit Union last week is believed to be the same suspect wanted in connection with 13 other bank robberies and a convenience store theft over the past 10 months, police said yesterday.
Honolulu police are looking for the public's help in tracking down the man who is believed to have used various disguises in the robberies, which date back to Oct. 24.
"We're asking if anybody maybe saw him entering the mall or getting into a parked car or maybe changing clothes prior to going into the bank -- if they could call CrimeStoppers," said Sgt. Kim Capllonch, CrimeStoppers coordinator.
The most recent theft happened at about 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Hickam credit union branch at 98-1005 Moanalua Road.
Police said the man, wearing military camouflage, entered the bank, approached a teller and demanded money. He then fled through the bank's service entrance, where he ditched the camouflage, Capllonch said.
During the last bank robbery, at the Hickam Federal Credit Union in Kapolei on July 14, the man wore a wig, beard and a security guard uniform that he tore off and discarded right after he left the bank, police said.
"This is the same MO," Capllonch said. "The prior robbery, he had on a security uniform and did the same thing -- he dumped it at the scene."
In other robberies, the suspect has used blond wigs, hospital scrubs, fake beards, a construction worker outfit, camouflage pants, a baseball cap and other disguises, police said. In some of the robberies he used a knife, and one time he jumped on the counter and tried to grab the cash drawer.
Police also released security camera images of Friday's robbery.
The suspect, described as in his 40s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 180 pounds with a dark mustache, also wore a large white bandage on the left side of his face. Capllonch said that in previous robberies he was described as having a red rash near his left eye.
"This time he put a big, white bandage on his temple, which could possibly be there for distraction," she said.
Police ask anyone with information on any of the robberies to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.