Lahaina man accused of entering home, threatening Kaanapali resident with rifle

Police arrested a man who allegedly entered a Kaanapali residence with a rifle early Monday and threatened to shoot a resident before firing a “warning shot” at the television, according to police.

Darin Libstaff, 46, of Lahaina was charged Tuesday with kidnapping, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, first-degree terroristic threatening, keeping a loaded firearm in an improper place, keeping ammunition in an improper place, first-degree reckless endangering and failing to acquire a firearm permit. His bail was set at $500,000.

When officers responded to a call at 1:38 a.m. Monday at 50 Puu Anoano, Libstaff had fled, police said.

A man living in a unit there said Libstaff had entered without permission, police said.

According to a declaration filed in court to support the charges, Libstaff said something about being owed $5,000, pointed the rifle at the resident and threatened to shoot him if he didn’t leave the bedroom and go into the living room. After the resident said he didn’t have that much cash, Libstaff reportedly told the other man they would stay in the residence until the banks opened in the morning, according to the declaration.

When someone could be heard opening the front door of the residence, Libstaff said that if anyone called security or police, he would shoot the resident, then himself, according to the declaration. Then Libstaff pointed the rifle at the television and fired one round, the declaration says.

While Libstaff was distracted, the resident ran out the door and to a neighbor’s residence and called police.

The resident told police he didn’t know Libstaff, but a woman living there recognized Libstaff’s voice, according to the declaration. She was outside the residence at the time, the declaration says.

After Libstaff was located and detained at his residence on Kenui Street, police reported finding a loaded AR-15 style rifle in his Toyota Tacoma truck. In a search of Libstaff’s residence, police reported finding a lever action rifle and more than 500 rounds of ammunition.

During Libstaff’s initial appearance Wednesday in Lahaina District Court, convening in Wailuku, Deputy Prosecutor Lewis Littlepage asked for bail to remain at $500,000 for Libstaff.

Deputy Public Defender David Pullman asked for bail to be reduced to $50,000.

While the charges are serious, Libstaff “emphatically maintains his innocence,” Pullman said.

He said Libstaff has lived on Maui for 22 years and hasn’t been in trouble with the law before. Libstaff has worked bartender jobs, including one that he recently ended, Pullman said.

Judge Chris Dunn kept bail at $500,000.

Libstaff was ordered to stay away from the Kaanapali residence and its occupants.

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