Posted on: Friday, April 1, 2005

Man arrested in 3 robberies in Kalihi involving handgun

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A 43-year-old man was charged yesterday in connection with three armed robberies over a three-day period last week in Kalihi.

John K. Palimoo, who gave no address, was charged with three counts of first-degree robbery and one count of kidnapping. He was being held last night in lieu of $200,000 bail.

Palimoo is accused of using a handgun to rob a woman on March 22 and another woman and a man three days later. No one was injured, police said.

On March 22, a 38-year-old woman told police she was walking to her car near Hone Lane at about 10:50 p.m. when a man approached her, brandished a gun and demanded money. The woman complied, and the man fled, police said.

On March 25, a man entered a Middle Street liquor store, pointed a gun at a 55-year-old female employee and demanded cash. The woman refused, and police said the man left empty-handed after several customers entered the store at about 8:15 p.m.

Less than two hours later, a 26-year-old man said he was walking on Waiakamilo Road when a man threatened him with a gun. The victim gave the robber some money, but it apparently was not enough, and the robber forced the victim at gunpoint to withdraw money from several automated teller machines.

Police said the man was unable to withdraw any money, so the robber demanded that the man write him several personal checks. The man complied, and the robber fled.

Palimoo was arrested Wed-nesday after victims gave a description of the suspect.

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