Hawaii island police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who allegedly assaulted a tourist taking photos of turtles last month at Punaluu Black Sands Beach along the south shores of the island.

The man confronted the 29-year-old Meadow Lake, Ore. man as he was taking pictures of the turtles and told him to stay away from the animals, police said. The man then punched the cameraman in the left eye, took her camera, and wrestled him to the ground.

During the struggle, the victim’s girlfriend got the camera back and took a photo of the alleged assailant after bystanders separated the two men.

Police ask that anyone with information on the man’s identity call officer James Lorenzo at 969-2520 or police at 935-3311.

Anonymous tips can be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.