PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man has been charged with an alleged robbery in the back seat of a vehicle on Ediz Hook.
Asa James Rudner, 23, was charged in Clallam County Superior Court on Monday with first-degree robbery and second-degree theft for allegedly taking $1,200 in cash from an acquaintance’s cousin.
Port Angeles police alleged that Rudner punched the victim in the face before taking his wallet and removing the cash.
Rudner also is charged with second-degree assault in another case.
He will be arraigned on the new charges at 9 a.m. Friday.
Superior Court Judge Lauren Erickson set Rudner’s bail at $50,000 Monday. Rudner remained in the Clallam County jail as of 2 p.m. Tuesday.
“Based on the fact that the current charges involve a robbery one, and the fact that we have a pending assault two, I’m going to find that Mr. Rudner poses a substantial risk of a likelihood to commit a violent offense,” Erickson said in court Monday.
“I’m going to follow the recommendations of the state and impose the $50,000 bail.”
Erickson also signed a no-contact order protecting the alleged victim.
Witnesses said that Rudner entered the back seat of a friend’s vehicle that was parked on Ediz Hook and demanded money from the alleged victim, a cousin of one of Rudner’s friends, police said.
The incident was reported by a witness.
“Asa suddenly began grabbing at his pocket where his wallet was and told him ‘Gimme your s—-’,” police said in the probable cause statement.
“(The alleged victim) said he told Asa he could have his vape pen, but Asa continued to try and pull his wallet from his pocket.”
The alleged victim said Rudner began striking him in the head multiple times with a closed fist.
The man had a laceration and bruising on the right side of his face near his temple but declined medical attention, police said.
Rudner was arrested Friday in Carlsborg, police said.
First-degree robbery is a Class A felony punishable by a maximum of life in prison and/or $50,000 fine, Erickson said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.
