Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a male suspect who assaulted the owner of a Palolo store during a robbery, then tried to seek a getaway ride from a passing motorist.

About 8:20 p.m. Thursday, the male brandished a black handgun inside the Rainbow Valley Supermarket on Palolo Avenue and struck the owner in the face and head before demanding money, police said.

The owner opened the cash register, and the suspect took cash before leaving.

Outside the store, the suspect stopped a passing motorist, got into a passenger seat, and asked the driver for a ride, police said.

The driver got out to confront the suspect, who ran away, police said.

Police described the suspect as 5 feet 10 inches tall and about 200 pounds. He was wearing a black cap, red bandana, white T-shirt, shorts, with a black glove on his right hand and a white glove on his left hand.

He is wanted for investigation of first-degree robbery.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME from a cell phone.