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Pharmacy robber is resentenced to prison

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The Maui News

WAILUKU -- After being arrested for drunken driving days after his release from jail, a Kula man was resentenced Monday to a 10-year prison term for robbing the pharmacy at Longs Drugs in Pukalani.

John Naauao Jr., 31, had admitted he violated his probation in the robbery case because of his arrest May 18 for DUI, driving without a license and not having insurance.

He had been released from jail little more than a week earlier on May 9, when he was placed on four years' probation and given credit for 18 months he had spent in jail.

Naauao had pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of second-degree robbery of the pharmacy at about 8:30 p.m. Feb. 2, 2015. 

Police said the robber pointed a gun at the pharmacist while demanding oxycodone and left with more than 1,000 pills of the painkiller. Police later reported finding a black BB gun in a search at Naauao's residence.

Deputy Prosecutor Justine Hura said Naauao's conduct was "egregious."

"It was threatening," she said. "It caused harm to the community. It was for his own selfish reasons. He wanted to get ahold of controlled substances."

She said Naauao was released from jail last year only to again endanger the community by driving while intoxicated.

Defense attorney Cary Virtue said Naauao wants to see if he can receive drug treatment while incarcerated.

"I did a lot of bad things in my life," Naauao said in court Monday. "I never went for treatment."

In imposing the sentence, 2nd Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza said Naauao had control over what happened next.

"At times when you've dealt with problems, you've displayed a strong will that has worked against you," Cardoza told Naauao. "Take that strong will and apply it in a way that helps you."

Naauao was resentenced to five-year prison terms for third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle in 2012 and 2013 cases. He will serve all prison terms at the same time.

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