WAILUKU - A Wailuku man testified he was sitting on a bench at Queen Ka'ahumanu Center and looking for his bus pass Saturday morning when he was approached by a man saying, "Give me your money, give me your money."
The man, later identified as Kyley Phillips, had both arms extended to the side with his palms open, Danny Barbosa said during a preliminary hearing Thursday in Wailuku District Court.
Barbosa said he told Phillips he didn't have any money and would call police before Phillips grabbed Barbosa's backpack and began kicking and punching Barbosa.
"He punched me and hit me, then I fall down," Barbosa testified. "My head numb and then I cannot talk, I cannot move."
Judge Adrianne Heely ruled there was probable cause to support a charge of second-degree robbery against Phillips, 24. He is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail at the Maui Community Correctional Center.
Phillips, who was described by police as being homeless, initially gave his name as Kyle Phillips, who is his twin brother, said Deputy Prosecutor Mark Simonds.
No one else was at the bus stop when the robbery occurred at about 6:30 a.m., Barbosa said. He said his wife had dropped him off before she went to work and he was waiting for the 7:30 a.m. Lahaina bus to take him to work in Kaanapali.
After assaulting Barbosa and taking his backpack, Phillips ran, Barbosa said. He said a mall security officer stopped Phillips, who was arrested by police.
Barbosa suffered swelling to the right back side of his head, as well as injuries to his right forehead, right elbow and the top of his right bicep.
"I get those injuries from the guy who beat me up," Barbosa said, pointing out Phillips as his attacker.
Police returned Barbosa's backpack, which contained his wallet, iPad and work uniform.
Barbosa said he doesn't know Phillips but recalled seeing the defendant once on the bus. Phillips was drinking from a bottle of vodka in the back of the bus, Barbosa said.
Phillips is set to be arraigned Sept. 20 in 2nd Circuit Court. He was ordered to stay away from Barbosa.
* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.
