The Maui News

WAILUKU — A 28-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly poured gasoline and dropped a lit cigarette on the floor after threatening to kill his girlfriend Tuesday night in Keanae.

Max Pichay also reportedly grabbed the woman around her neck, impeding her breathing, during an argument that started at about 7:30 p.m. and continued until police arrived at the residence at 11:43 p.m., according to declarations filed in court.

Pichay was charged with attempted first-degree arson, first-degree terroristic threatening and felony abuse by strangulation.

During his initial appearance Thursday in Wailuku District Court, Deputy Prosecutor Joshua Kent asked for bail to remain at $16,000 for Pichay.

The argument between Pichay and his girlfriend of six months began while they were driving back to the house in the isolated area where “any sort of emergency response would be delayed,” Kent said.

He said the argument “became dangerous and physical” when, after briefly leaving the residence, Pichay returned with a 2-gallon gas tank and began pouring gas onto the living room floor.

The woman and her dog were in the house when Pichay lit a cigarette and dropped it on the floor next to the gasoline, according to a declaration.

The woman fled through the back door with her dog and “took shelter in her vehicle,” Kent said.

He said Pichay allegedly made threats as he went back and forth between the house and vehicle before using a boat anchor to strike a window of the vehicle.

She was trying to get items from the house and leave when Pichay grabbed her around the neck from behind with his right hand, impeding her breathing for 10 to 15 seconds, according to the declaration.

Kent said the bail was reasonable “based on the severity of the offenses, as well as the significant danger the defendant poses to the complaining witness and the community at large.”

Deputy Public Defender Andres Tobar asked for Pichay to be released on supervision or to have his bail lowered.

The allegations haven’t been proved, Tobar said. He said Pichay is a lifelong Maui resident and is employed by a nonprofit.

Judge Chris Dunn kept bail at $16,000, citing “the seriousness of the allegations.”

If he posts bail to be released, Pichay was ordered not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs and to report for random drug testing. He was ordered to have no contact with the woman.