Hawaii County police are asking for the public’s help in finding a 31-year-old Hilo man wanted for questioning in connection with the robbery of a taxicab driver in Hilo.

Bernard K. Antoque is described as part Hawaiian, about 5-feet 6-inches tall, weighing about 175 pounds with a fair complexion, short black hair and brown eyes. He has a piercing below his lower lip and numerous tattoos on his neck, chest, abdomen, arms and legs.

At 10:07 a.m. Saturday, police received a report from a 59-year-old taxi driver that he drove a man to the Mountain View area in Puna after a pickup in the Banyan Drive area. Police said customer claimed he did not have money to pay for the ride and asked to be taken to another location; after the driver refused, the man assaulted and threatened the driver and took the driver’s bag containing cash.

The driver forced the passenger out of the cab and drove to Keaau to report the robbery to police.

The victim was initially treated by Hawaii Fire Department medics. He was later treated at Hilo Medical Center for minor injuries and released.

Police ask that anyone with information on this case or who may know the whereabouts of Antoque call Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or email him at nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us. Tipsters may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.