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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, March 3, 2006

Arrest linked to Holloway robbery

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Ruben Royce

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A 21-year-old man who is awaiting trial on a burglary charge was arrested this week in connection with the homeinvasion robbery of "Lost" actor Josh Holloway and his wife last October.

Ruben E. Royce was arrested Wednesday afternoon at O'ahu Community Correctional Center, where he is being detained in an unrelated burglary case, police said. He was booked on one count of first-degree robbery, but he has yet to be charged in the Holloway case.

Royce is suspected of breaking into the Hawai'i Kai home of Holloway and his wife, Yessica Kumala, about 4 a.m. Oct. 12. The couple said the intruder pointed a gun at them and stole money, credit cards and Holloway's Mercedes-Benz.

The car was later found, but no one was arrested.

A week later, police arrested Royce after a brief standoff in Kaimuki. Police fired nonlethal bullets at Royce and the driver of the vehicle before the two surrendered.

Royce was charged in connection with a burglary at a Waipahu home. Police at the time said he also was a suspect in the Holloway robbery.

Capt. Frank Fujii, Honolulu police spokesman, yesterday would not say how Royce was linked to the Holloway case because charges have yet to be filed. Fujii also declined to comment on why it took more than four months to arrest Royce in connection with the Holloway robbery.

"Sometimes it just takes a while for us to piece together all of the evidence," Fujii said. He said detectives involved in the case did a good job of investigating the robbery.

Royce's criminal history includes two felony convictions for auto theft, as well as misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence and driving without a license.

If convicted of first-degree robbery, Royce could face up to 20 years in prison.

Holloway plays Sawyer in the popular ABC series that is filmed in Hawai'i.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.