Teens set business owner's car on fire with him inside: Cops
Share this @internewscast.com

Pictured from left to right: Jonah Michael Poole, Edward Koza, and Kylee Alyssa Dakes (Anne Arundel Police Department). In the background: The Tropic Bay Water Gardens parking lot in Maryland, where police report that Poole and Dakes set fire to Koza’s car with him inside (WBAL).

In Maryland, two 18-year-olds face potential life sentences after they allegedly assaulted a garden shop owner, tied him up in his car, and set the vehicle ablaze while he remained inside.

Jonah Michael Poole and Kylee Alyssa Dakes have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and arson for the death of 67-year-old Edward Stephen Koza, as per the Anne Arundel County Police.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

Cops and fire personnel responded around 9:25 p.m. on May 24 to a vehicle fire outside the Tropic Bay Water Gardens business in Davidsonville, which is just outside Annapolis. After crews extinguished the fire, they found Koza’s body tied up and with duct tape covering his mouth, police said. Authorities could smell gasoline with a melted container nearby and determined that the suspects intentionally set the fire.

Local Washington, D.C., Fox affiliate WTTG and CBS affiliate WUSA obtained criminal complaints that show how cops put the case together and identified the teen couple as suspects. Cops reportedly believe Koza was alone in the store around 5:30 p.m. on the day in question when Poole and Dakes attacked him.

After a struggle, Poole and Dakes allegedly tied up the victim and stuffed him in his car. The suspects then drove around with Koza in the car and eventually made their way to a gas station around 9 p.m., police said. Surveillance video reportedly showed a woman getting out of the passenger seat of Koza’s car and entering the gas station. The driver wore a Bass Pro Shops hat and a flannel shirt. The woman slipped the clerk two $5 bills, which authorities believe were for the gasoline used to fuel the deadly fire.

More from Law&Crime: Man doused his child’s mom in gasoline and set her ablaze in fire attack, causing ‘severe burns’ that led to multiple surgeries, cops say

The suspects drove back to Koza’s business and allegedly lit the car on fire with Koza still inside. Authorities reportedly found a Bass Pro Shops hat next to the burned vehicle. Authorities used surveillance video from the Bass Pro Shops store to identify Poole and Dakes as suspects from earlier in the day, when Poole bought the ubiquitous hat and flannel shirt, the affidavit reportedly said.

Baltimore Fox affiliate WBFF obtained charging documents that show cops believe the motive for the crime is robbery. Poole worked as an employee at Koza’s store for about two weekends last year, the documents reportedly said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Police Uncover Shocking Scheme: Man Allegedly Impersonates Missing Brother to Sell Family Home

Inset, left to right: Ted Harris (Facebook/WSB) and Kenneth Lee Harris (Cobb…

Victorian Father Allegedly Threatens Airport Explosion, Causes Uproar in Courtroom

A Victorian father accused of threatening to blow up Perth Airport could…

Flag Protection Controversy: Katter United Party Pushes for Jail Time in Australia

Queenslanders who burn the Australian flag in public could face jail time…

Chef Accused of Fatally Assaulting Wife in Hotel Room with Multiple Objects, Authorities Report

Inset: Jeffrey C. MacDonald (WWLP). Background: The UMass Amherst Hotel, where MacDonald…

Repeat Offender Faces Arrest After Allegedly Threatening Pregnant Woman with Firearm

In Gainesville, Florida, a serious incident unfolded yesterday involving a man identified…

Video Allegedly Captures Man’s Disturbing Reaction to Teen’s Tragic Death

Inset left: Enrique Aguilar (Harris County Jail). Inset right: Mariah Alatorre (Obituary).…

Alert Issued on Subtle Scam Targeting Elderly Australians

Older members of the community are urged to be on their guard…

Passenger Faces Charges for Assaulting Crew and Fellow Traveler on Australian Flight

A man will face court in Perth today after allegedly kicking at…

Queensland Carjacking Case: Court Upholds Conviction of Teen in Tragic Grandmother’s Death

A teenager who killed a Queensland grandmother and triggered landmark youth justice…

Gainesville Resident Faces Federal Indictment on Drug Charge

Announcement from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida GAINESVILLE,…

Tragedy Strikes: Cyclist Fatally Attacked by Aggressive Driver During Bike Unveiling

Left: Rory Horowitz (Bernalillo County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Ellyssa Salazar (Bernalillo County…

Tragic Apartment Fire Claims Lives of Three Children; Investigation Reveals Hazardous Living Conditions

Background: A photo of the fire damage to Joshua Kannin”s apartment in…