Teen lovers arrested in shocking murder of 67-year-old Maryland business owner, whose body was found in torched car
Two teenage lovers are accused of murdering a Maryland business owner and possibly burning him alive in his own car in a crime that shocked their small town last month, according to reports.
Jonah Poole and Kylee Dakes — 18-year-old high school seniors who are dating — were arrested in Harwood Saturday, a week after the body of Poole's one-time boss Edward Koza's body was found in the flaming remains of his pickup truck outside his gardening supply store.
The 67-year-old had been violently beaten over the head and his hands and mouth had been bound and taped, investigators discovered after dousing the flames. Cops believe Koza was assaulted while inside the store, Tropic Bay Water Gardens — where Poole worked briefly a year ago, according to Fox 45 — before the pair forced him into the back of his pickup.
Advertisement
3 Kylee Dakes and Jonah Poole, both 18, were arrested Saturday for the brutal May murder of Koza
Investigators also found a discarded Bass Pro Shops hat at the scene, and after canvassing surveillance footage from nearby businesses, got a hit when they saw Poole wearing a similar cap at a nearby gas station and driving Koza's truck.
Poole was with his girlfriend Dakes at the station the evening of the murder, footage showed, and the two were seen smiling as they bought gasoline police believe was used to torch the car.
Advertisement
And Koza — possibly alive — was in the back of the truck the whole time, according to police.
The couple then returned to Tropic Bay and allegedly torched the truck, fleeing in a red Lincoln while the flames still burned, according to Fox 5.
3 Edward Koza, 67, was found dead in his torched car
x/AACOPD
3 Koza's store, Tropic Bay Water Gardens, where his body was found in his torched pickup truck out front
fox5dc
Advertisement
'Caller reported it looked like someone threw something into the truck before it caught fire,' an emergency dispatcher said after a witness called in the fire to 911.
Cell phone records also place Poole at the scene of the crime, and leaving just after.
Exactly what motivated the teens to allegedly kill remains unclear, but Poole is also facing charges for a burglary at a nearby restaurant that happened just a week before Koza's murder.
Advertisement
'It's shocking. I can't believe any 18-year-old could do such a thing,' a neighbor of Koza's told CBS News. 'Eighteen years old, just graduated high school? It just makes no sense.'
Poole and Dakes are both charged with first-degree murder, arson, and assault.
'Sad for them that they ruined their lives,' a Harwood resident told Fox 45. 'But I think they deserve what they get and hopefully they get the maximum.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Oceanside Police won't assist immigration enforcement due to state law
OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Oceanside Police on Friday said there have been some immigration-related operations conducted by federal agencies in the city in recent days and that they will not be assisting with those efforts, citing state law. After protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted in Los Angeles and spread nationwide, Oceanside Police confirmed there have been some immigration-related operations conducted within Oceanside recently. San Diego Police Department urges peace, warns against violence in anti-ICE protests While many of the protests have remained peaceful, some have grown tense and led to clashes between law enforcement and civilians, resulting in hundreds of arrests, The Hill reports. The Oceanside Police Department on Friday said they will be following state law, including Senate Bill 54 (SB 54), and will not be participating in immigration enforcement. 'Our department has consistently followed, and will continue to follow, all applicable state laws.' Protests over immigration raids pop up across the US as more planned This comes as protests nationwide, including across San Diego County, are expected to continue into the weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Border Patrol finds 13lbs of meth plastic wrapped to man at San Diego checkpoint
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A man that went through an immigration checkpoint in southern San Diego County near the U.S.-Mexico border was found with 13 pounds of meth plastic wrapped to his body, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports. A vehicle that went through an immigration checkpoint along I-8 in Pine Valley just before noon Sunday was sent to a second inspection by Border Patrol agents, who found six bundles plastic wrapped to a man's back and ankles under his clothes during a safety pat down. Cabbage heads filled with meth balls land Mexican man in prison The contents were weighed and tested, and found to contain 13 pounds of methamphetamine, an estimated street value of $15,660, according to CBP. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) took custody of the unidentified man, described only as an adult U.S. citizen, and the meth. Border Patrol seized the vehicle for suspected use as a smuggling conveyance. The man is facing federal charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute, according to CBP. Carlsbad police seize drugs, cash and car in major narcotics operation 'This is another great example of the outstanding work that the men and women of the Campo Border Patrol Station do every day to secure our border and make our communities safe,' said Campo Station Patrol Agent in Charge Michael W. Davis. So far this fiscal year, San Diego Sector has seized 2,538 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,586 pounds of cocaine, 250 pounds of fentanyl, and 56 pounds of heroin, CBP reports. CBP releases drug seizures total in May To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, residents can contact 911 or San Diego Sector at 619-498-9900. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
San Diego Police Department urges peace, warns against violence in anti-ICE protests
(Above: Report by FOX 5/KUSI's Jennifer Franco on May 30 about the ICE operations at Buona Forchetta) SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Police Department issued a statement Friday regarding the federal immigration enforcement actions happening nationwide. Following on the heels of an announcement made earlier this week by the San Diego County Chiefs and Sheriff's Association, SDPD said it 'fully supports the right to peacefully assemble and exercise free speech' and that it recognizes how the actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have 'deeply affected' the community. What is the difference between democracy and authoritarian rule? However, the department warned that damaging property or conducting other violent acts will have legal consequences. 'The San Diego Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws, nor do we inquire about immigration status,' the department stated. 'Our mission is focused on public safety.' At the end of last month, ICE agents conducted two immigration enforcement operations at an Italian restaurant, Buona Forchetta, and its sister restaurant in South Park. San Diego police officers were also called in to assist after the heightened response led to a crowd of people gathering around the scene, attempting to prevent the ICE agents and their vehicles from leaving. The warnings come ahead of another wave of protests planned for Saturday called 'No Kings Day,' a nationwide movement which is aimed against several policies and actions made by the Trump administration, including strict immigration enforcement. Here's where 'No Kings' events are happening in San Diego County. SDPD's reaction to the federal crackdown on illegal immigration echoes a similar sentiment made by the county's law enforcement association on Tuesday. Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy, who is also the president of the San Diego County Chiefs and Sheriff's Association, said assaults on law enforcement or acts like looting, vandalism and arson 'will not be tolerated.' 'Should federal authorities request our assistance due to safety concerns, local law enforcement will respond as necessary to ensure the protection of all involved—officers, agents, and members of the public alike,' her statement on behalf of the association read. 'This support is strictly for safety and security purposes and does not reflect participation in immigration enforcement.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
