CASS COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Police have apprehended two men involved in an armed robbery at a home this week.
21-year-old Oliver Bwalya and 19-year-old Jeramiah Makanjuola were arrested for allegedly taking part in the robbery of a Cass County woman and the shooting of her dog.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3rd when 3 to 4 men broke into a home on Day Lake Drive in Calvin Township.
A 24-year-old woman was the only person inside at the time and told the men she did not have any money. The men entered a bedroom toward the back of the house, and when a dog came forward they fired shots at the pet.
Police say the suspects left the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash and fled in a silver Toyota Prius.
A report of suspicious activity was made to dispatchers after a homeowner saw the occupants of a silver Toyota prius get out of the vehicle and into a red Toyota camry. When police arrived at the Brownsville Road location around four miles from the original robbery, the suspects had already left the scene.
Area police departments sent out a BOL or “be on the lookout” notice in hopes of finding the red camry. The vehicle was eventually located at the Cassopolis Library parking lot and resulting evidence led officers to find and arrest the two lodged suspects.
Bwalya and Makanjuola face 19 charges including home invasion, armed robbery, killing and torturing an animal, assault with a dangerous weapon, larceny from a building, and felony firearms. Both are being held on $80,000 bail.
It is currently unclear if any other suspects are being sought by police in connection to the case, but authorities say that an active investigation is underway.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (269) 445-2481
