The preliminary hearing for a 55-year-old Kona man accused of robbing a Kailua-Kona pharmacy on Sunday has been postponed.
Phillip W. Hart was unable to be transported from the Hawaii Community Correctional Center to 3rd Circuit District Court in Kona for his preliminary hearing slated for Wednesday because he was “too ill,” Public Defender Wendy DeWeese said. Judge Andrew Wilson subsequently delayed the preliminary hearing until Nov. 6.
Wednesday’s postponement was the second time a preliminary hearing for Hart has been delayed. The originally preliminary hearing slated for Tuesday was continued after Hart was unable to be transported to court because of “medical reasons,” according to court records.
Hart is facing a single charge of second-degree burglary after he allegedly entered a pharmacy on the corner of Walua Road and Kuakini Highway Sunday morning and threatened to blow up the pharmacy unless he was given drugs. He reportedly fled on foot after being given an undisclosed amount of medication.
Police located Hart shortly thereafter on the property of a nearby condominium on Walua Road. He was arrested following a short foot pursuit. He was charged with second-degree burglary on Sunday.