LIHU‘E — Four suspects charged in the robbery of a Koloa gas station earlier this month had their cases moved to 5th Circuit Court Wednesday following a custody arraignment in district court. Josiah Kaluna, 18, of Koloa, Clarence Montgomery Kane,
LIHU‘E — Four suspects charged in the robbery of a Koloa gas station earlier this month had their cases moved to 5th Circuit Court Wednesday following a custody arraignment in district court.
Josiah Kaluna, 18, of Koloa, Clarence Montgomery Kane, 21, of Koloa, Mason Noah Saio, 20, of Kalaheo, and Kalai Hans Vicente, 18, of Kapa‘a are being tried in separate cases connected to the gas station robbery.
The four are each charged with first-degree robbery and attempted second-degree theft. Kaluna faces additional charges of fourth-degree criminal property damage and two counts of third-degree assault. Saio and Vicente each face one count of third-degree assault.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Melinda Mendes is prosecuting the case on behalf of the state.
Vicente and Ka–ne were arrested on Jan. 4. Saio and Kaluna were arrested on Jan. 5.
The four are accused of robbing a Chevron convenience store in Koloa early Jan. 4. Employee Michael Bajit testified at an earlier custody hearing that the four confronted him around 2:20 a.m. with faces painted black and wearing T-shirts over their heads.
Bajit said he thought it was someone playing a joke until one of the four brandished a long hunting knife. He was then punched, pushed and ordered to open the cash register.
The suspects proceeded to steal wine and other store items, causing property damage, according to Bajit, who was injured from kicks in the process. He said they took $200 to $800 from the till and an employee payroll check.
Judge Kathleen Watanabe set a trial date of May 21 for all four cases.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@ thegardenisland.com.
