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Maui Longs Drugs pharmacist describes armed robbery

WAILUKU >> A Maui pharmacist has described in court how a robber pointed a gun at her while demanding the prescription painkiller oxycodone.

Deanna Salse testified at a preliminary hearing Tuesday in the case against John Naauao Jr., who is charged with the robbery last week of a Longs Drugs store in Pukalani.

Salse said the bandit jumped through a window into the pharmacy area, demanded that employees get down on the floor, and asked where the oxycodone was kept.

“I went over and pulled out a drawer,” she said. “He told me to get down on the ground.”

She said the drug was kept in a safe that was open as she did inventory. The robber fled with more than 1,000 oxycodone pills and 400 Percocets with a total value of about $2,300, she said.

Salse wasn’t able to identify the robber, who was wearing sunglasses and a bandanna over his face.

Cashier Alma Felicilda testified that his face wasn’t covered when he entered the store. She later picked Naauao out of a police photo lineup, Detective Dennis Lee said.

Lee testified that police found a BB gun under a bed in a locked bedroom at Naauao’s Kula home.

Under cross-examination by Deputy Public Defender Danielle Sears, Lee said police weren’t sure if it was Naauao’s bedroom.

Judge Douglas Sameshima ruled there was probable cause to support charges of first-degree robbery and second-degree theft against Naauao, the Maui News reported. Naauao is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 19.

Sears didn’t immediately respond to a phone message Wednesday from The Associated Press seeking comment.

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