He was arrested for assault and robbery in Waikiki more than three years ago. But police say long-time criminal, Moses Palakiko jumped bail and has been on the run ever since.

Ramsay Wharton has more on Palakiko in this week's Wanted Wednesday case file.

February 18, 2004. It's around 9 o'clock at night in Waikiki and a group of men are hanging out in the public alleyway between the Halekulani and Sheraton Waikiki hotels.

Police say they were enticing prey for 26-year-old Moses Palakiko.

"Moses Palakiko walks up at first he asks them if they want to buy drugs and the whole group says, 'No, I don't want to buy any drugs, we're not interested'," said Sergeant Kim Buffett with Crimestoppers Honolulu. "So then he makes a demand for money, 'I want your money and your jewelry,' and singles out one person in the group."

Police say the man refused and Palakiko punched him in the face taking his money and jewelry. They say Palakiko then approached another man and tried to get the man's wallet from his pants' pocket. The man ran off and managed to escape unharmed.

Palakiko was later arrested for robbery after he was identified in a photo-line up.
Authorities say Palakiko had drugs on him and that's not unusual.

Sgt Buffett said, "Nineteen arrests, five convictions. A lot of those cases robbery, drugs, threatening, so he's not a very nice guy out there."

Police say Palakiko jumped bail and is wanted on a $15,000 felony contempt warrant.
He's a Hawaiian male, about 5'5" tall, 160 pounds. He has two distinct tattoos.

"One that really stands out is Palakiko across his back. So if he's without his shirt you'll definitely be able to notice him," said Sgt. Buffett. "And then he has this pit bull with this spiked collar on his chest."

Police hope someone will notice his tattoos. A crimestoppers tip that leads to his arrest could put a thousand bucks in your pocket.

"If you're a criminal and you have your name on your back, that's a dead giveaway," said Sgt. Buffett.

Moses Palakiko is known to frequent the Kailua, Kalihi, Waikiki and Waianae areas.

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