A family member turned in a 21-year-old man accused of robbing five Oahu businesses at gunpoint on Oct. 8, according to federal court documents unsealed Tuesday.
Wayne Okagbue, of no local address, was charged last week in U.S. District Court in Honolulu with robbery and use of a firearm in a crime of violence. The federal robbery charge stems from the interference of interstate commerce and carries a punishment of up to 20 years.
Okagbue was identified as a suspect in five robberies that occurred between 6:30 and 9:05 p.m. Oct. 8 in Waimalu, Waipahu, Pearl City, Aiea and Ewa Beach.
In at least one robbery, at Hawaiian Holy Smokes in Pearl City, the suspect was accompanied by two men. The court document says Okagbue and the others took $1,529 worth of property from the smoke shop, including about $600 in cash, merchandise and two employee wallets.
The victims told police Okagbue brandished a silver handgun and demanded money. At one point he struck a glass showcase with the handgun, and the gun’s magazine fell on the floor.
Okagbue’s relative recognized him in a televised surveillance video from the Holy Smokes robbery and called police, the court document says. Okagbue allegedly said, “I know I’m in trouble,” when confronted by the relative.
Okagbue was arrested Oct. 11 in Wahiawa. A federal judge ordered him held without bail Tuesday for the safety of the community and because he is a flight risk, court documents show.
He was turned over to U.S. marshals.
2 men sought in Keeaumoku area robbery
Police were looking for two males in connection with a robbery early Tuesday in the Keeaumoku Street area.
The two suspects displayed a weapon while taking property from two men, ages 32 and 39, at about 12:05 a.m., police said. The suspects fled and the victims were not hurt. Police opened a first-degree robbery investigation.
Man arrested in thefts from cash register
A 31-year-old man was in custody for stealing more than $20,000 from a woman in Kailua, police said.
Police said the man made fraudulent transactions at a cash register, from August to October, to steal the money.
He was arrested for investigation of first-degree theft at about 4 p.m. Monday.
