LIHU‘E — Brad Kubisch on Tuesday morning pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree burglary and two counts of second-degree theft.
5th Circuit Judge Randal Valenciano set a jury trial for next month.
Kubisch’s latest charges arise from a pre-Christmas break-in at a Wailua Homesteads residence, where Christmas presents, jewelry, cash, computers and other items were allegedly taken by Kubisch and co-defendants Chelsie Malie Banasihan and Li‘ikaimana Damon Jack Cook.
Kubisch, 24, with a last known address in Koloa, is in custody, as is Banasihan, 21, from Waimea. Cook, 25, with a last known address in Kapa‘a, remains at large.
Kaua‘i Police Department officers suspect the trio of being responsible for a string of burglaries in the Po‘ipu and Koloa areas.
Kubisch is now represented by attorney Michael Soong, after state deputy public defenders and other attorneys had to conflict out of taking his case because they represent co-defendants in other Kubisch cases.
Attorney Rosa Flores, who represents Banasihan, had to refuse court-appointment to represent Kubisch because of her conflict.
Banasihan pleaded not guilty to two burglary and two theft charges on Dec. 29, and requested a jury trial. Cook is charged with the same crimes.
On Christmas Day, some of the alleged perpetrators who discovered car keys in one of the stolen purses returned to the Wailua Homesteads residence and, with occupants present in the home, took off in the 2009 Nissan truck, which has since been recovered, according to KPD sources and the property owner.
According to the property owner whose home was burglarized, there was a high-speed chase after which Kubisch was arrested. Cook escaped apparently by jumping into the ocean and swimming away near Lydgate Beach Park.
Attorney Craig De Costa, who represents Cook, said he is not incarcerated because he was not given a preliminary hearing within the required 48 hours after his arrest.
Both his attorney and Cook’s mother have implored Cook to turn himself in, De Costa said.
Bail for Kubisch, who was wearing a red “Rambla” T-shirt and black and white Quiksilver board shorts in court Tuesday, has been set at $20,000.
Soong requested a bail study, which is an investigation into a subject’s potential danger to the community if released, flight risk, whether he or she has a place to stay, and other factors which, depending on objections by the state, could lead to bail reduction or release conditions if a judge approves.
Other people who have been on Kaua‘i’s Most Wanted list also made appearances Tuesday before Valenciano.
Some of them, like Kenneth P. Bukoski and Faith M. Balaan, appeared without attorneys, so were given time by Valenciano in order for them to secure attorneys for their next court appearances, next week before 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe in both those cases.
Bukoski is charged with third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, and unlawful use of or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.
Balaan faces first-degree burglary, credit-card theft, credit-card fraud (three counts), second-degree theft (two counts) and fourth-degree theft (three counts) charges. She said she will apply for services of the state deputy public defender. Balaan and Bukoski remain free on bail.
Guy K. Holt, represented by state Deputy Public Defender Edmund Acoba, pleaded not guilty in a second-degree assault case. A jury trial was set for March 1. Holt is also free on bail.
