Man shot by police
had gun historyThe victim pointed
a paint ball gun during
a robbery in 2000
A Waianae man shot by police after allegedly pointing a BB gun at two officers in Kaimuki earlier this month had used a paint ball gun to rob a convenience store more than two years ago.
Oliver Tela, 28, is awaiting trial for terroristic threatening and being a felon in possession of ammunition stemming from the Sept. 15 Kaimuki incident. Tela was grazed in the shoulder by police. He was treated and released into police custody.
In July 2001, a Circuit Court judge sentenced Tela to five years probation after he pleaded guilty to the Dec. 15, 2000, robbery of the 7-Eleven Kalihi store at 1900 Dillingham Blvd.
A store employee told police that the robber, who was wearing a basketball jersey, pointed what appeared to be a black revolver at her and demanded money.
Police spotted Tela and arrested him at a bus stop across from Oahu Community Correctional Center after a brief struggle. He was wearing the basketball jersey and was carrying a white plastic bag containing the money from the robbery and a paint ball gun, said Richard Stacey, deputy city prosecutor.
According to a letter from clinical psychologist Marvin Acklin to the court, Tela said he used a toy gun to rob the store because he needed money and he did not have a job. Acklin was one of three specialist appointed by the court to determine whether Tela was mentally fit to stand trial. The court determined that he was.
Tela is scheduled to appear in court Friday for a probation revocation hearing.
