Career criminal accused of robbing soccer mom at gunpoint

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - 34-year old Phillip Osuna was arrested early Thursday morning in connection with the armed robbery of a soccer mom at Kapiolani Park.

Honolulu Police tells us, within 30 minutes of releasing a surveillance picture of the suspected gunman, they had him identified through tips from the public.

"Our phones just started blowing up," says Sgt. Kim Buffett of HPD's Crimestoppers.

Police arrested Phillip Osuna around 6:20 a.m. at the Pacific Marina Inn on Waiwai Loop.

Osuna had been on the run since Monday after the victim reported that she had been held at gunpoint at Kapiolani Park at 5:20 p.m.

The victim, a soccer mom, reportedly parked near the tennis courts when the suspect suddenly entered her passenger door, pointed a gun at her and made her drive around the park.   The took her jewelry, phone and purse, reportedly telling her that he needed money for drugs.

Police sources tell me Osuna has 57 prior arrests, for crimes that include robbery, drugs and assault.  He has 14 convictions and has been in and out of jail for much of his adult life.   In fact, he had just gotten out of jail, 12 days before the alleged armed robbery.

Osuna was recently put on HOPE probation, a program for drug addicts, but even after that, he had been arrested several times.

"Sooner or later, heat needs to be put on a person to let them know that you have to pay for your (crimes)," says University of Hawaii Law Professor Ken Lawson.  Lawson, a recovering addict himself also spent time in federal prison.  He says the idea of going back is what forced him to get sober.  Lawson says HOPE probation works in many cases, but only if the suspect realizes there are consequences for not complying.

"It's the consequences of our actions that sometimes get us sober," says Lawson.

Osuna is being held for First degree robbery and kidnapping, he has not been charged.

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