Man pistol-whipped in attempted robbery at The Reserve apartments; two suspects in custody / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, August 30, 2012

Man pistol-whipped in attempted robbery at The Reserve apartments; two suspects in custody

August 30, 2012, 12:59 a.m. Updated August 30, 2012, 3:55 p.m.

Lawrence police arrested two 19-year-old Topeka men Thursday morning an hour after a Kansas University student was pistol-whipped and a gun discharged in a robbery at The Reserve apartment complex, 2511 W. 31st Street.

Sgt. Trent McKinley, a Lawrence police spokesman, said police were called at 11:50 p.m. to the apartment complex.

Police gave this account of the incident:

Three KU students reported they were sitting in a sport-utility vehicle in a parking lot Wednesday night, and another student was standing outside the vehicle, when two men approached them and demanded marijuana.

“When the occupants in the SUV said they didn’t have any marijuana, the suspects demanded their cell phones and cash,” McKinley said. “One of the suspects circled around the car and went to the driver’s side where he pointed a pistol at the person sitting in the driver’s seat and threatened to shoot him if the others didn’t give up their money and property.”

A struggle ensued between the armed suspect and the male student standing outside the SUV. The suspect punched the victim. Then the suspect struck the victim on top of his head with the pistol. The pistol also fired into the ground.

The suspects took the victim’s keys and fled in a vehicle.

Medics treated the robbery victim, but he declined to be taken to the hospital, McKinley said.

About 12:35 a.m. Thursday, police received a report of vehicle burglaries in the 1000 block of Vermont Street.

“Witnesses reported seeing two individuals, who matched the description of the suspects involved in the incident at The Reserve, checking several vehicles parked in the city parking lot,” McKinley said. “They advised the subjects made entry to one vehicle prior to officers arriving.”

Police recovered a handgun, holster and keys to the robbery victim’s vehicle.

Officers arrested the two suspects on charges of auto burglary and possession of marijuana, and after an investigation they connected the two men to the robbery outside the apartment complex, the sergeant said. One of the suspects, Sterling James Wilkins, was also detained on outstanding Shawnee County warrants, McKinley said.

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said prosecutors would likely make a decision about filing formal charges Friday.

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vailbfun 1 year, 7 months ago

Let me tell you the Reserve is not the ghetto! It is expensive to live there! What I want to know is where is the security that the apartment told me they provide when I rented my students appartment there! This is a fairly nice part of town and yes there are students in town. They bring in huge revenew to your community so you really should not complain. If you don't like a college town then move somplace else. Lawrence would be dried up without the college there!

puddleglum 1 year, 7 months ago

when o when will we start charging shawnee county for the money spent on our law enforcement chasing topeka's criminals? solution is easy...toll booth on hwy 40, and secondary toll booths at the turnpike entrances. any one from shawnee county must pay a $5 cover charge to enter douglas county. sounds good to me.

beatrice 1 year, 7 months ago

What is wrong with people these days? Parents just don't teach their children proper pistol-whipping techniques any more.

1 year, 7 months ago

I have co-workers that live over there and I hope none of them was the one that got hurt.

Fatty_McButterpants 1 year, 7 months ago

Yeah, right!! These students decided it was more fun to hang out in the parking lot, instead of their fully-furnished apartment that includes free Wi-Fi, cable & HBO, and two guys just randomly demand marijuana?? People who want drugs don't have a problem finding the drugs, just a problem paying for them. These dudes were likely enjoying a little mary jane, got jacked, and tossed the drugs before the cops arrived.

JackMcKee 1 year, 7 months ago

Here's what ole Jack suspects. These guys are not just a couple of innocent students that were randomly chosen because they looked like they might have some pot. There was some reason the perps thought they were worthy of an armed robbery.

RDE87 1 year, 7 months ago

It’s always the trashy people from Topeka and KC that cause the majority of issues involving guns and robberies in Lawrence.

oldbaldguy 1 year, 7 months ago

actually that is probably what happened. criminals usually pick targets at random.

Hooligan_016 1 year, 7 months ago

While it is fortunate no one was killed or seriously hurt, the students' account of simply hanging out in the car in the parking lot seems awfully suspect ...

But I don't know, maybe this just was a complete random act of violence.

FlintlockRifle 1 year, 7 months ago

Not really, sounds more like a Hi-Point or Jennings

oldbaldguy 1 year, 7 months ago

sounds like idiot had his finger on the trigger when he hit the kid. thankfully no one shot.

ironhead80 1 year, 7 months ago

REALLY! How many crooks would try to steal from a person they think, might me carrying a gun? Let law abiding citizens protect themselves and there property. LEGALIZE GUN CARRY LAWS!!!!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY!