Maui crime spree suspect appears in court, tries to fire attorney due to ‘trust issue’

KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - The suspect accused in a violent days-long crime spree appeared in court Thursday.

Rocky Hermanns-Raymond, 31, tried to fire his attorney on the spot.

“I believe that me representing myself is the best choice because I really have a trust issue with the Public Defender’s Office,” said Hermanns-Raymond in court.

Hermanns-Raymond is charged with multiple offenses, from burglary to stealing cars.

Authorities said Hermanns-Raymond allegedly kidnapped a 57-year-old woman in Kahului on Sunday.

Police said he stole the SUV with her in it and refused to let her go. The woman eventually managed to escape and Hermanns-Raymond took her SUV to Lahaina.

Hermanns-Raymond then led police on a chase around the island, crashing into cars on the west side, eventually fleeing over a cliff. The next morning, he broke into a home in Waihee and stole another vehicle and credit cards.

Police said they found him Tuesday near Iao Theater in Wailuku and said they arrested him after he tried to punch an officer in the face.

“Just wanna let the community know that public safety remains our top priority. Clearly this individual was someone that we needed to identify and take into custody immediately,” said Maui Police Department Assistant Chief Gregg Okamoto.

Okamoto said 631 vehicles have been stolen in Maui County so far this year. That is compared to 483 the same time last year – a 31% increase.

Hermanns-Raymond has 12 prior convictions including stealing vehicles and assault against a law enforcement officer.

“The state feels that this defendant poses a very serious threat to our community and he is a danger to the community based on his criminal history as well as the alleged actions that are underlined in the case,” said Deputy Prosecutor Joann Hicks.

The judge convinced Hermanns-Raymond to keep his attorney for now.

She set bail at $50,000.

Hermanns-Raymond is due back in court on Monday.

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