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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 8:06 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Woman accused of planning Aliamanu break-in

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Nicholas Kyle Nichols

Courtesy Hawai‘i Criminal Justice Data Center

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

John Matt Rasalan

Courtesy Honolulu Police Department

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kerry Khamsouk

Courtesy Honolulu Police Department

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kevin "Rambo" Khamsouk

Courtesy of Hawai‘i Criminal Justice Data Center

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An 18-year-old woman was charged by indictment today with allegedly planning an Aug. 11 Aliamanu home invasion that left a shooting victim paralyzed.

Kiara Garlasa Valdez, a former acquaintance of shooting victim Timothy Lapitan, is accused of being an accomplice to first-degree burglary. The indictment alleges that between March 1 to Aug. 11, Valdez solicited another person to commit a burglary at 1256 Hulakui Drive and did aid or agree or attempt to aid another person in planning or committing the offense.

An $11,000 warrant was issued today for the arrest of Valdez.

John Matt Rasalan, 17, charged Thursday in connection with the home invasion, was included in today's 16-count indictment. Rasalan was charged with being one of five suspects who forced their way into the home of Teresita Lapitan at gunpoint and held her, Timothy Lapitan and Theresa Gomes against their will.

Today's indictment charges brothers Kevin "Rambo" and Kerry Khamsouk, 20 and 18 years old, respectively; Nicholas Kyle Nichols, 18, and Rasalan with two counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and six counts of carrying or use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Nichols, the alleged shooter, is additionally charged with attempted second-degree murder and a place to keep firearm offense.

The fifth suspect, 16, is at the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility under Family Court jurisdiction.

In convicted, prosecutors will seek extended sentencing for the male suspects for being multiple felony offenders.

Valdez allegedly told the suspects about a bag containing cash and drugs in the house belonging to Timothy Lapitan. The suspects allegedly found no bag in the house and Lapitan was shot in the abdomen as he attempted to push the intruders out of the home. The shooting left Lapitan paralyzed.

Nichols and most or all of the other male suspects in the Aliamanu case are tied to a group, formerly known as "Outlaws," but now called "The Wrecking Crew," according to police.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.