A 76-year-old woman remains shaken in the wake of a home invasion robbery that Honolulu police say occurred at her residence in Kahala.
Since the night of the robbery, she has difficulty sleeping as she recalls two masked suspects bounding her with zip ties. “I can feel all those things happening to me again,” said the resident, who declined to have her name published.
Police are investigating the robbery that occurred at a home on Kaimanahila Street at about 10:50 p.m. Monday.
In an interview with the Star-Advertiser, the woman recounted the suspects entering her bedroom, where they taped her mouth and bound her hands and feet with zip ties. “They said they weren’t going to hurt me. They just wanted my jewelry,” she said. “They were brazen. Very, very bold.”
At some point, she said, she redirected the suspects to another part of the house, then managed to break free from the zip ties and run out of the home and across the street, where a neighbor helped her.
The woman said the suspects fled with cash and jewelry taken from the home.
Police said the suspects remain at-large.
They are described as approximately 6 feet fall and 150 to 160 pounds. Both were wearing masks and dark clothing at the time of the robbery.
On Wednesday morning, the victim cupped her right wrist with her left hand as she stood in her carport describing the visible abrasions she sustained to her wrist from the zip ties.
Her 77-year-old husband, who is disabled and was in a separate room at the time of the robbery, did not sustain any physical injuries. Still, the couple is traumatized.
“There’s nothing that can prepare you for the shock and fear,” the 76-year-old resident said.
The woman said she discovered the robbers gained entry to the home by removing louvers from a jalousie window. The resident, who didn’t have a security system at the time of the robbery, now plans to install one.
CrimeStoppers Honolulu coordinator Sgt. Chris Kim recommended residents install a home security system to protect themselves and their property.
Doorbell camera systems, motion sensor lights and “visual deterrent” signs or stickers are also other options.
For homes with jalousie windows, Kim suggested residents install security clips or use epoxy to bond the panes to brackets.
Unlike the recent Kahala robbery, Kim said they have had robbery cases where people left their entry doors unlocked. “Even when you’re home, lock your door.”
Deputy Prosecutor Scott Spallina, who oversees the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Elder Abuse Justice Unit, echoed Kim’s recommendation. “These days, you can’t leave your doors open when you’re home,” he said.
Spallina also advised residents to clear or trim trees and bushes near doors and remove or secure lawn furniture so it can’t be used to gain entry into your home.
Anyone with information on the suspects in the Kahala robbery is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
HOME SECURITY
CrimeStoppers Honolulu and the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Elder Abuse Justice Unit offered the following tips to residents on how to protect themselves at home:
>> Install a home security system.
>> Install motion sensor lights.
>> For homes with jalousie windows, install security clips or use epoxy to bond panes to brackets.
>> Clear or trim bushes and trees near doors.
>> Have good lighting near doors and windows.
>> Lock entry doors while you’re at home.
