photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

A Lawrence Police Department patrol vehicle is pictured June 28, 2022.

Two men were arrested on Sunday after Lawrence police used surveillance footage to identify them as possible suspects in a robbery in which the victim was knocked unconscious in an alleyway near two university bars.

The robbery is alleged to have occurred around 11:15 p.m. Friday, March 22, in the area of 14th and Ohio streets, said Sgt. Drew Fennelly with the Lawrence Police Department in an email. The corner is home to two popular university bars, the Jayhawk Cafe and The Wheel.

A 21-year-old man reported that he had been punched in the face in an alley and knocked unconscious; he said money was taken from his wallet. The man had various facial injuries but declined medical attention, Fennelly said.

Police located surveillance video of the incident and were able to identify two men and the vehicle they were driving. Early Sunday morning, police observed the two suspects in the area of a fight at 1340 Ohio St. around 1 a.m. and were able to take the men into custody without incident, Fennelly said.

photo by: KBI Sex Offender Registry

Breyon Paul Townsend

Breyon Paul Townsend, 21, of Bonner Springs, and Adrian Rashawn Wimbush, 21, of Shawnee, were booked into the Douglas County Jail on suspicion of one count each of aggravated robbery in connection with the incident.

Townsend has a recent conviction for felony interference with law enforcement in Johnson County and was sentenced to 12 months in prison that was suspended to 12 months of probation in July 2023, according to court records.

Townsend also has a 2021 conviction in Johnson County from when he was a juvenile for aggravated indecent liberties with a child involving a 12-year-old victim, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Sex Offender Registry.