Alleged extortionist
must stand trial

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Star-Bulletin staff

A woman who forced a business partner at gunpoint to sign over to her a successful shrimp wagon business and his interest in a bottling business was ordered yesterday to stand trial.

District Judge Tenney Tongg found sufficient probable cause to send the case of Connie Aragona, charged with first-degree robbery, kidnapping, second-degree theft and extortion, to Circuit Court.

Tongg also confirmed bail at $120,000, saying she poses a danger to the victim and his family.

Troy Nitsche, sole owner of Giovanni's Aloha Shrimp Wagon in Kahuku, said he signed a contract typed by Aragona on Aug. 19 relinquishing his quarter share in Giovanni's Aloha Foods and his sole interest in Giovanni's Aloha Shrimp lunch wagon to her because he feared for his safety.

"I was thinking my signing was my best chance of getting out of that situation and not getting hurt further," he said.

Aragona, 46, and her husband initially owned the lunch wagon but sold it to Nitsche in 1997 for $120,000.

Aragona, Nitsche and two other partners each owned a quarter share of Giovanni's Aloha Foods.

When Nitsche refused to do as Aragona ordered, three men he did not know blocked his exit and threatened him at gunpoint, saying he was not going anywhere until he signed the papers.

Aragona will be arraigned Sept. 10 in Circuit Court.

The three males who allegedly threatened Nitsche at gunpoint are at large.