Posted on: Friday, August 10, 2001

Accused denies invasion of home

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Rodrigues: Had worked at site of the crime

A man accused of tying up two women and robbing them at gunpoint in their Manoa home last year is the victim of mistaken identity, his attorney says.

The nonjury trial for Shaun C. Rodrigues, 21, began yesterday before Circuit Judge Virginia Crandall. Rodrigues is charged with one count of burglary, and two counts each of robbery and kidnapping in connection with a July 8, 2000, home invasion.

In opening arguments, city Deputy Prosecutor Russell Uehara said Rodrigues broke into the O'ahu Avenue home of the Sugihara family July 8.

Uehara said Rodrigues was able to enter without tripping the alarm because he helped install the system and had been in the Sugihara home twice before.

After breaking in, Uehara said, Rodrigues was confronted by Dawn Sugihara, who had just returned home from breakfast. Rodrigues pulled out a small handgun, pointed it at Sugihara, and ordered her to the floor, Uehara said.

At about the same time, Dawn's mother, Diane, got out of the shower to check on sounds she heard in her bedroom. Uehara said Diane Sugihara was nude and Rodrigues ordered her to lie next to her daughter.

The two women were then tied with cord and their heads were covered with clothes. Uehara said Rodrigues then demand money.

"'I'm not a ... rapist, I just want the money. Where's the money? Where's the jewelry,'" Uehara said Rodrigues shouted.

Uehara said Diane Sugihara told the robber that she had no jewelry because the home had been burglarized twice. But Rodrigues noticed a wedding ring on her hand and said he'd shoot her if she didn't hand it over, Uehara said.

At one point, Uehara said, Rodrigues told the two to get a better alarm system.

After gathering some property, the robber left and Dawn Sugihara was able to untie herself and call police, Uehara said. The two women later identified Rodrigues in a photo lineup.

But defense attorney William Harrison said the women initially told police they weren't sure if they could identify the robber. He said they may have singled out his picture because Rodrigues had worked at their home and his face was familiar.

Harrison said the robber was not wearing a mask or gloves and Rodrigues would have been a fool to break into a house that he worked on twice. He added that fingerprints taken from the scene did not match those of Rodrigues.

Harrison said family members will testify that Rodrigues stayed out late the night before and he was asleep at their Kailua home on the morning of the robbery.

"There's no other evidence other than two questionable IDs," Harrison said. "This is basically a case of clearly mistaken identity."

If convicted, Rodrigues faces a mandatory 20-year prison term on each robbery and kidnapping charge, and up to 10 years for the burglary charge.

In addition to this case, Rodrigues will stand trial later on a separate terroristic threatening charge. He is accused of threatening a Manoa man with a gun after the man and his family caught an intruder attempting to break into their home July 6.

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.