Man accused in 'Lost' robbery found guilty in separate case

A man charged with a string of home invasion robberies, including the holdup of "Lost" star Josh Holloway, was found guilty of the lesser offense of first-degree reckless endangering and other crimes in his first trial.

A jury on Friday also found Ruben E. Royce, 22, guilty of robbery, burglary and firearms offenses.

Royce faces 26 other charges in separate trials that include the armed robbery of Holloway and his wife at their Hawai'i Kai home in 2005.

Friday's verdict involved a robbery where a gun was fired. Royce was originally charged with second-degree attempted murder.

Royce testified that he and Chanh Thay Khounkeo, 28, went to the apartment to rob the occupants, believing there were money and drugs there.

Royce said he pointed a gun through an opening in the door to scare the occupants, when the weapon fired.

Khounkeo pleaded guilty to burglary earlier and testified against Royce. Under a plea agreement, he will have to serve a five-year prison term.

Royce will be sentenced on Oct. 2.

Source: Honolulu Advertiser