Police are looking for the suspect, described as “local male.”
Crime Stoppers coordinator PO2 Jason Tarkong said “recently, there have been a string of thefts on the beaches of both the Fiesta Resort and Hyatt Regency hotels. The victims are tourists who go for nightly swims leaving their personal belongings on the beach. After taking a swim, the victims return to discover their personal effects have been stolen.”
“These crimes against tourists need to end,” Tarkong said in a statement, as he asked the community’s help in solving these crimes.
Tarkong said on Saturday, at about 10:15 p.m., the female victim was with another Japanese female, walking on the beach behind the hotel.
The suspect approached the two women and attempted to talk to them.
Tarkong said the tourists tried to avoid the suspect who then grabbed the victim’s purse. A struggle ensued.
“The suspect escaped with the victim’s purse, injuring the victim’s thumb. The suspect was last seen running south toward Makaka Beach,” Tarkong said.
The items stolen included a bag containing over $700 cash, a Japanese passport, some credit cards and a cell phone which was recovered later.
Tarkong described the suspect as a local male in his early 20’s, about 5’5” tall, dark hair and skin, medium build, wearing red shorts and no shirt at the time of the incident.
Tarkong said the Department of Public Safety and the Crime Stoppers are seeking help from the public.
Those who have information about this and other crimes are urged to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 234-7272.
Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 for any information leading to an arrest, Tarkong said.
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