Robbery suspect, victim shared time in prison

Two men who robbed a couple sleeping in their car in Makiki last month were wearing black clothing that looked like police uniforms and had baseball caps with patches that said "Hono­lulu Police," according to court documents.

The arresting police officer said the men also wore bandannas as masks.

The male victim was able to identify one of the men as a fellow former inmate when his mask fell off, the affidavit said.

Justin Agustin, 36, arrested Wednesday in Wahiawa, was charged with three counts of first-degree robbery, four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a separate felony, impersonating a law enforcement officer and several firearm violations.

He pleaded not guilty Friday in District Court. A preliminary hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. today. His bail was set $150,000.

The other suspect is still at large.

The 44-year-old male victim said he and his girlfriend were sleeping in his green Jeep Cherokee on Thurston Avenue at 5 a.m. March 28 when they were awakened by a man who said he was a police officer.

"Both suspects were wearing clothing that looked like a police officer," the six-page police affidavit said.

The victim was pulled from his car by Agustin, who was armed with a sawed-off shotgun, and was told to put his hands behind his head, according to the affidavit.

Agustin then allegedly said, "Where’s the drugs? Where’s the money? You’re under arrest. You going to jail. Get out of the car. You busted. This is the police."

Agustin and the male victim know each other, according to the affidavit, because they spent time in prison together over the past 10 years. At one time they were in the same unit.

The victim said he recognized Agustin’s voice and also recognized a 2-inch scar on his face that gave him the nickname "Face."

The police affidavit said Agustin then searched the victim and took his wallet and money.

The 42-year-old female victim also told police that she heard one person call out, "Police officer, open the door, open your window. Get out; get out; get out of the car now."

She also said one of the suspects called her boyfriend by his first name.

She said that the second suspect took her bag and purse and then drove away with her boyfriend’s Jeep. She was not able to identify the two men.

The day after the robbery, police issued a Crime­Stoppers alert identifying Agustin as one of two men wanted in the Makiki carjacking. It called both suspects "armed and dangerous."

Agustin has seven felony convictions, ranging from burglary and car theft, dating to 1997.