WAILUKU (AP) — A judge says there is enough evidence to support charges against a man suspected of robbing a Canadian tourist.
WAILUKU (AP) — A judge says there is enough evidence to support charges against a man suspected of robbing a Canadian tourist.
Police found $740 dollars in $20-dollar bills inside 33-year-old Joseph Planesi-Kauhola Jr.’s pockets when officers arrested him Sunday morning, the Maui News reported (https://bit.ly/1PbmaYo).
Quebec resident Pierre Pilon said during Thursday’s preliminary hearing that he withdrew money from a bank and offered $8 to a man who was sitting nearby. The man asked for a ride instead, and when the two parked, Pilon said Planesi-Kauhola put a gun to his ribs, took his money and cell phone, and pushed him out of the van before driving away.
“He said something like, ‘Don’t do anything stupid. Give me everything you have. Give me your wallet,’” Pilon said.
Detective Dennis Lee said during the hearing that Planesi-Kauhola told police that he had a black-and-silver pellet gun, which he threw into a cane field.
“He didn’t want to get shot by police or seen with a gun,” Lee said.
Pilon and officers used an app to find the phone, which was left in the van.
Planesi-Kauhola was put on probation in January 2014 for kidnapping, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.
Planesi-Kauhola will be arraigned Aug. 18.
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This story has been corrected to show Planesi-Kauhola was put on probation in 2014, not Pilon. Pilon is named as the victim in this case.