Posted on: Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Youth pleads guilty to O'ahu crime spree

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

The second of four O'ahu youths accused of participating in a Nov. 19 crime spree pleaded guilty in Circuit Court yesterday to his involvement.

Lelauti M. Sakaria, 20, faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 9 after pleading guilty to three counts of first-degree robbery and one count of kidnapping.

Vito John Talo, who was 17 at the time, previously pleaded guilty to robbery and other charges related to the case. Family court waived jurisdiction so Talo could be tried as an adult.

Prosecution is still pending against Dustie Liupaono, who was also 17 at the time and was waived over by Family Court to be tried as an adult; and Jason A. Deere, 21.

The rampage began at the Kalihi Jack in the Box drive-through at 2317 N. School St. about 1:30 a.m. Robbers smashed a car window, attacked a couple and stole their Subaru. At 4 a.m., a 7-Eleven in Kailua was hit. At 5 a.m., the Pearl City Chevron station was hit.