Four Suspects In Custody After Person With A Gun Call
Oskaloosa Police Department (file photo)
The press releases involving this incident are below the updated article.
Charges Filed Against Four Kansas City Individuals
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Police conducted a felony stop on a black Scion with Missouri license plates after the report of an armed robbery at William Penn University.
Officers located and stopped the suspect vehicle in the 1800 block of South Market Street. Four occupants were found to be inside the vehicle.
William Penn University released a statement on Tuesday afternoon in regards to the incident. “We are aware of an incident which occurred on campus yesterday night in Watson Hall involving three William Penn University students who were victimized by four non-affiliated individuals. The Oskaloosa Police Department and William Penn Security were called to the scene of the incident, which resulted in the arrest of the four individuals not affiliated with the university.”
“We are taking the matter seriously and will promptly and thoroughly investigate this incident through applicable University channels, as well as give full cooperation to the local law enforcement. We would like to assure our students and the general public that the university campus is a safe and secure place.”
According to court documents, during the felony stop, Oskaloosa Police officers “could see through the windows a glass jar with Marijuana inside sitting on the back seat.”
According to court documents, a handgun was displayed, “During the incident items of value were taken from three different victims, all while the handgun was being displayed.”
Vernon Smith Amaje Aziah, 20, Kansas City, Missouri, is charged with; possession of a controlled substance, three counts of robbery 1st degree, Aziah is being held on $75,000 bond.
Brandy Kukua Mends, 19, Kansas City, Missouri, is charged with; possession of a controlled substance, three counts of robbery 1st degree, Mends is being held on $50,000 bond.
Julious John Sabastiano, 19, Kansas City, Missouri, is charged with; possession of a controlled substance, three counts of robbery 1st degree, Sabastiano is being held on $50,000 bond.
Sean Thompson, 19, Kansas City Missouri, is charged with; possession of a controlled substance, carrying weapons, and three counts of robbery 1st degree.
Thompson is facing the additional charge of carrying weapons based upon the affidavit submitted by officers, “During the theft one of the victim was also assault by being punched in the face by the defendant.”
Thompson is being held on $75,000 bond.
As a reminder, a criminal charge is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
****Initial Oskaloosa Police Press Release***
Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Police Department released a press statement Tuesday morning in relation to a complaint about subjects on the William Penn University campus.
The Press Release reads as follows:
On Monday November 14th, 2016 at approximately 11:30 pm, Officers of the Oskaloosa Police Department received a complaint of subjects on the William Penn University campus, Watson Hall dormitory, 201 Trueblood Avenue, armed with guns. While Officers were enroute to the University campus it was reported that the suspects had left the University in a vehicle.
Officers located and stopped the suspect vehicle in the 1800 block of South Market Street. Four occupants were found to be inside the vehicle. As a result of this traffic stop and the subsequent investigation the following persons were arrested and charged with 3 counts of 1st Degree Robbery and possession of a controlled substance:
Brandy Kukua Mends, age 19, of Kansas City, Mo.
Julious John Sabastiano, age 19, of Kansas City, Mo.
Sean M. Thompson, age 19, of Kansas City, Mo.
Vernon Smith Amaje Aziah, age 20, of Kansas City, Mo.
During this investigation it was determined that three different William Penn University students had been victimized during this incident. There were no injuries during this incident and the above mentioned defendants were taken into custody without incident.
The four defendants are incarcerated in the Mahaska County Jail. Robbery in the 1st Degree is a Class “B” felony. Possession of a controlled substance is a serious misdemeanor.
The Police Department was assisted in this investigation by members of the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office.
As a reminder, a criminal charge is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
***William Penn Statement***
William Penn University released a statement about the incident.
Statement from William Penn University Regarding November 14 Incident
OSKALOOSA, November 15, 2016 – William Penn University released the following statement this morning regarding an incident that occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2016:
We are aware of an incident which occurred on campus yesterday night in Watson Hall involving three William Penn University students who were victimized by four non-affiliated individuals. The Oskaloosa Police Department and William Penn Security were called to the scene of the incident, which resulted in the arrest of the four individuals not affiliated with the university. An investigation into the incident is currently pending with the Oskaloosa Police Department and no William Penn students were injured or arrested. This was not a random incident and one of the victims knew the suspects. We are taking the matter seriously and will promptly and thoroughly investigate this incident through applicable University channels, as well as give full cooperation to the local law enforcement. We would like to assure our students and the general public that the university campus is a safe and secure place.
