String of bank robberies by man wearing surgical mask may be related, police say
COURTESY HONOLULU CRIMESTOPPERS
This image shows a suspect who wore a yellow poncho and a white surgical mask while robbing the First Hawaiian Bank on Kapahulu Avenue on Feb. 2.
COURTESY HONOLULU CRIMESTOPPERS
Police released this image of a suspect who wore a blue surgical mask while attempting to rob the American Savings Bank in Kapolei on Jan. 8.
COURTESY HONOLULU CRIMESTOPPERS
Police said this man robbed the First Hawaiian Bank in Kaimuki on Feb. 12.
COURTESY HONOLULU CRIMESTOPPERS
This image from security video shows a suspect in a Kaimuki bank robbery on Friday.
Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a possible serial bank robber who prefers wearing a surgical mask.
The man may be connected to at least three bank robberies — two at the same branch — since February, said Honolulu CrimeStoppers coordinator Sgt. Chris Kim.
“It’s a strong possibility that this may be the same guy,” Kim said. He said there were similarities with the man’s clothing, but some discrepancies in his physical appearance. Some of those discrepancies may stem from the trauma the victims had experienced or the clothes the suspect was wearing, he said.
In the latest robbery, a masked man entered the Kaimuki branch of First Hawaiian Bank at about 3:50 p.m. Friday and demanded money from a teller, police said. He ran away in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of money.
He was described as 6 feet tall, in his 30s or 40s, with a husky build and a fair complexion. He was wearing a long sleeve blue shirt, blue jeans, a gray beanie, sunglasses, and white surgical mask.
On Feb. 12, a man with a white surgical mask entered the same branch at 3599 Waialae Ave. and fled after receiving money from a teller, police said. The suspect in that case was described as in his 40s or 50s, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with an average build.
On Feb. 2, a man wearing a yellow poncho and a white surgical mask robbed the First Hawaiian Bank at 433 Kapahulu Ave. He was described as 6-foot-1, 200 to 210 pounds, with dark hair and a medium build.
On Jan. 8, a man wearing a blue surgical mask tried to rob the American Savings Bank in Kapolei and threatened to detonate a bomb when the branch manager declined to give him any money, police said. He fled on foot in an unknown direction. It was unclear if that incident was related to the other three.
The man in the Kapolei incident was described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 230 pounds, and wearing a light green long-sleeved shirt, khaki shorts, a black baseball cap and black slippers.
Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME from a cell phone. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online.
