Bail at $82K for man accused of machete threats

WAILUKU — Bail was set at $82,000 for a man who was arrested for allegedly swinging a machete at another man and threatening to kill him at his campsite in Lahaina.

Solomon Blevins, 42, was charged with first-degree robbery, attempted second-degree assault, first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, first-degree terroristic threatening, fourth-degree criminal property damage and fourth-degree theft.

According to police, the victim was sleeping in his multipurpose vehicle, parked on the makai side of Honoapiilani Highway at Mile Marker 13.5, when he was awakened at 6:40 a.m. Nov. 23 by Blevins, who allegedly tried to whip the victim with a rubber hose.

Blevins took a machete from the vehicle, swung it and threatened to kill the victim, he told police.

Blevins allegedly smashed the rear passenger window of the vehicle. Then he allegedly threw rocks and a dumbbell at another vehicle owned by the victim, damaging the windshield.

Police said Blevins allegedly used the machete to remove the victim’s backpack before pointing the machete while telling the victim to hand over his phone. The victim didn’t turn over the phone before

Blevins fled into brush.

Police reported finding the backpack and machete in the area.

During Blevins’ initial appearance Wednesday in Lahaina District Court, convening in Wailuku, Deputy Prosecutor Lewis Littlepage asked for bail to be increased from $12,100 set by police.

He said Blevins has 33 convictions, including nine for felony offenses of second-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, felony abuse, first-degree terroristic threatening, second-degree assault, escape, two counts of second-degree theft and first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

Deputy Public Defender William Pannell asked for Blevins to be released from jail.

“He does tell me has alibi witnesses,” Pannell said. “They will say he was on the other side of the island when these alleged charges occurred. One of his witnesses, he says, is a police officer.”

Judge Kirstin Hamman increased Blevins’ bail to $82,000.

He was ordered to stay away from the victim and the area where he lives near Mile Marker 13.5 on Honoapiilani Highway.

■ Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.