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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:51 a.m., Tuesday, August 26, 2008

'Out of control' man arrested after Maui crash

By LILA FUJIMOTO
The Maui News

LAHAINA - Police on Maui said that after crashing a pickup truck into a house under construction Saturday night, a Lahaina man allegedly held a box cutter knife to the throat of a pedestrian who was trying to help him, The Maui News reported today.

The driver also reached into a car driven by the owner of the house, trying to grab a passenger before the car reversed to get away, said Capt. Charles Hirata, commander of the Lahaina Patrol District.

Rogelio Rodriguez, 38, was shocked multiple times by Lahaina patrol officers, who deployed Taser stun guns to subdue and arrest him, Hirata said.

"He was totally out of control," Hirata said.

Bail was set at $12,200 for Rodriguez. He was charged with second-degree assault, kidnapping, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and resisting arrest.

The crash was reported at 7:49 p.m. when Rodriguez lost control of the tan pickup truck while driving on Prison Street and approaching Wainee Street, Hirata said. The truck ended up in the front yard of the house under construction on Prison Street.

An 18-year-old Lahaina man, who was carrying a surfboard as he walked on Wainee Street, heard someone yelling and tried to help Rodriguez, Hirata said. But when the pedestrian said he was going to call 911, Rodriguez suddenly lunged at him, put him in a headlock and dragged him to the back of the pickup, Hirata said. The man reported that Rodriguez held the box cutter knife against the man's neck, restricting his movement.

The man managed to break away from Rodriguez and ran.

Meanwhile, the homeowner was driving toward the house when she saw the pickup truck in her front yard.

Hirata said Rodriguez approached the front passenger window of the car and reached in with both hands, trying to grab the legs of the front-seat passenger, a 36-year-old woman. She reported being afraid after seeing blood on Rodriguez's hands, Hirata said. He said the homeowner reversed the car to escape from Rodriguez.

Police arrived shortly afterward to arrest Rodriguez.

The man with the surfboard was treated for a 2-inch laceration on the right side of his neck and a laceration to his left thumb, Hirata said.

Medics treated Rodriguez for minor lacerations to his face.

Police are awaiting toxicology reports for Rodriguez.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.