Michael Waters Jr. apparently hoped to find refuge at his father’s house in Laie, but police arrested him after they found a stolen rental car — its engine still running — across the street.
Waters was charged with first-degree robbery Wednesday in a case that involved a brazen armed carjacking and a pair of high-speed chases worthy of the “Fast and Furious” franchise.
A district judge on Friday sent his case to Circuit Court, where Waters is scheduled to appear Feb. 11.
First-degree robbery is a Class A felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Waters, 35, of Laie, remained at Oahu Community Correctional Center on Saturday, unable to post $125,000 bail.
The escapade began about 4:45 p.m. Jan. 24 when a Canadian tourist and his wife parked a rented 2016 Mustang convertible on the shoulder of Kamehameha Highway opposite Kualoa Ranch to take a photo.
According to a police affidavit filed in District Court, the woman crossed the street and looked back to see Waters approaching the car with what appeared to be a gray handgun.
She saw him aim the gun at her husband in the driver’s seat, according to the affidavit.
The man told police Waters ordered him out of the car and when he offered Waters money instead, Waters replied: “Get the … out of the car or I will shoot you in the face.”
The man got out and Waters drove off in the Mustang with the top down toward Kahuku, the affidavit says.
Several minutes later, an officer spotted the Mustang near Sacred Falls Park and gave chase.
During the chase, the officer watched as Waters accelerated to 100 mph, swerved into oncoming traffic, overtook vehicles and forced traffic off the roadway, the report says. The officer lost sight of Waters near the Kahuku police station.
Another officer near the police station recorded video on his cellphone as the Mustang sped by and broadcast a description of the driver.
About 30 minutes after the robbery, a police sergeant on the Waimea Bay side of Kahuku saw the Mustang heading Kaneohe-bound on Kamehameha and began another pursuit.
The sergeant saw Waters drive about 70 mph and cross into oncoming traffic, causing several vehicles to swerve out of the Mustang’s way, the document says.
The sergeant halted the pursuit about three minutes later because Waters was driving too fast, the document says.
Police found the Mustang unoccupied with the engine still running at Laie Shopping Center about 50 minutes after the robbery.
An officer looking at a picture taken during the pursuit recognized Waters and told other officers that Waters may be headed for his father’s home across the street.
At the house, officers knocked at the door and when the father opened the door they spotted Waters coming out the bathroom.
Police arrested Waters after he was identified by the victim as the robber.
