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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 6:07 p.m., Wednesday, January 7, 2009

2 charged in Big Island theater robbery

Advertiser Staff

KAILUA, KONA, Hawai'i — Two men arrested for a late-night robbery Sunday at the Keauhou Stadium 7 movie theaters on Ali'i Drive have been charged with first-degree robbery and other offenses.

Darrell L. Silva Jr., 24, and Ryan Tobias, 21, both of Kailua, were being held at the Kona police cellblock in lieu of $4,750 bail.

The pair allegedly pointed a gun at a female employee after the theaters had closed for the night, demanding cash and the combination to a safe. After the woman told the robbers she was unable to provide the combination, they bound her wrists and ankles and took an undisclosed amount of money.

An hour later police located Silva and Tobias in the theater, and when officers approached them, the men attempted to flee, police said. The suspects were wearing clothing matching the description of what the robbers were wearing, according to police.

Further investigation by detectives revealed that Silva and Tobias allegedly were involved in two earlier break-ins at the theaters.

Early Dec. 27, intruders entered the business and damaged a glass window between the projection room and the viewing room, police said. Early Jan. 4, they reportedly stole some lights and tools valued at $96.

Each man was charged with an assortment of robbery, burglary, theft, criminal property damage and assault charges.