Two 18-year-olds from Maryland are facing life in prison after they allegedly attacked a garden shop owner, bound him, and set his car on fire with him still inside. Jonah Michael Poole and Kylee Alyssa Dakes have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and arson in the death of 67-year-old Edward Stephen Koza.
The Crime
The chilling crime took place on May 24, 2024, when police responded to a vehicle fire outside Tropic Bay Water Gardens in Davidsonville, just outside Annapolis. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and discovered Koza’s body tied up and with duct tape covering his mouth inside the vehicle. Authorities found a melted gasoline container nearby, confirming that the fire was deliberately set.
Surveillance footage from the day of the crime showed suspicious activity. Police believe Koza was alone in his garden shop around 5:30 p.m. when Poole and Dakes attacked him. After a struggle, they allegedly tied him up, placed him in his car, and drove around with him. At 9 p.m., they were seen at a gas station where surveillance footage captured a woman (believed to be Dakes) getting out of Koza’s car to purchase gasoline, which was used to set the deadly fire.
Investigation and Motive
The investigation led police to the discovery of a Bass Pro Shops hat next to the burned vehicle, which matched the one Poole had purchased earlier that day. Surveillance from the store also showed Poole buying the hat and a flannel shirt. Police believe the motive behind the crime was robbery, as Poole had worked at Koza’s store for two weekends the previous year.
Cops are also working to authenticate a video of a man wearing a flannel shirt seen lighting the vehicle on fire. The young couple, who were set to graduate from Southern High School, are now behind bars without bond, facing serious charges for their roles in Koza’s death.
Legal Proceedings
Poole and Dakes remain in Anne Arundel County Jail, and a preliminary hearing for the case is scheduled for June 25, 2024. The case has shocked the local community, with many questioning how such a violent crime could be carried out by such young individuals.
The tragic death of Edward Koza has left his community devastated, and the brutal actions of Poole and Dakes have led to them facing life in prison. The case has raised questions about the motives behind such a horrific act and the consequences of violent behavior at such a young age. The legal proceedings will continue to unfold, with the possibility of more details coming to light as the investigation progresses.
