A Kalispell-area man has been convicted of grabbing cash from a floor runner at Nickel Charlie's Casino on U.S. 2 in Evergreen.

During a change-of-plea hearing Thursday in Flathead County District Court, Keoni Kapu Lopaka, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, prosecutors dismissed a second robbery charge and will recommend Lopaka receive 15 years to the Department of Corrections with 10 years suspended during his March 26 sentencing hearing.

Investigators say that Lopaka held up floor runners at the Best Bet Casino in the 700 block of East Idaho Street and at Nickel Charlie's on two consecutive afternoons in late August 2008.

He will be required to pay restitution to both victims, Deputy Flathead County Attorney Lori Adams said.

During brief testimony Thursday, Lopaka, who has no prior felony convictions, called the robberies a "bad decision."

"I had a series of events that kind of compiled quickly," he said, explaining to the court how he had recently lost his job and home.

Lopaka was arrested on Aug. 29 after grabbing more than $860 from a keno runner's apron at Nickel Charlie's Casino.

When Flathead County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the Evergreen casino, patrons and employees had Lopaka pinned down in the parking lot.

A man told deputies he heard the keno runner yelling and saw her chase a man outside. He and others in the casino followed, eventually wrestling Lopaka to the ground.

Lopaka also is responsible for the Aug. 28 armed robbery of the Best Bet Casino.

He approached a casino runner with a knife and demanded money before fleeing on foot with about $100.

Lopaka's hold-ups marked the first of seven robberies or attempted robberies at casinos in the Kalispell area.

Other suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with armed robberies or attempted robberies at Lucky Lil's Casino near Wal-Mart on Sept. 24 and Gold Dust Casino on U.S. 2 West on Oct. 26.

Investigators still are searching for the man or men responsible for the Sept. 15 armed robbery of Windiggers Casino, the Oct. 15 armed robbery of the Players Club Casino, and the Dec. 8 armed robbery of the Loose Change Casino on North Main Street.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com