Mo-ped driver hospitalized after crash

A mo-ped crash Saturday near Ala Moana Center left the driver badly injured.

Police closed two west-bound lanes of Ala Moana Boulevard fronting the mall to investigate.

Police said the mo-ped sideswiped a taxi van about 5:40 p.m.

An Emergency Medical Services supervisor said the man, of unknown age, was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Robber hits St. Louis Heights home twice

A Waimanalo man was charged Friday in a robbery of two men at a St. Louis Heights home.

Brian Persinger, 25, pleaded not guilty in a court appearance Friday and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

He was charged with three counts of first-degree robbery, one count of kidnapping, two counts of first-degree burglary, and three firearm offenses. He is being held at Oahu Community Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Police said two men dressed in dark clothes and wearing ski masks forced their way into the St. Louis Heights residence at 3:36 a.m. Monday. One of the men had a handgun and demanded money from the two male victims, ages 27 and 19. Both robbers fled with money before police were notified. The victims were not hurt.

Persinger returned wearing a ski mask about 9 a.m. the same day and forced his way into the home, police said. He wielded a handgun, demanded money, and again fled with cash, police said.

Persinger was tracked by information from one of the victims who said he recognized the masked gunman’s voice, police said.

Police said Persinger and the victims are acquaintances and the robberies were apparently related to a failed drug deal.

The second robber remained at large.