Teenage Suspects and 18-Year-Old Charged After Gunpoint Incident
Three people were arrested in connection to an attempted armed robbery last Thursday in Kalamazoo. The incident happened on Interfaith Boulevard around 1 a.m. on May 7.
According to KDPS court documents, the victim said they were being held at gunpoint by two subjects wearing grey sweatshirts and masks during a robbery attempt. The suspects demanded the victim empty his pockets and instructed him to let them into his apartment.
The victim quickly closed his door, and the suspects fled before police arrival. A doorbell camera captured the incident on video.
Suspects Located and Arrested
Officers located the suspect vehicle within an hour at an apartment complex on Sherwood Avenue. KDPS pulled them over and arrested all three suspects.
Two of the suspects were wearing clothing seen in the doorbell camera video.
A 15-year-old teenage boy was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home on charges of assault with the intent to rob while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, and one count of felony firearm. His name will not be released due to his age.
A 17-year-old teenage boy was also lodged at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home on charges of assault with the intent to rob while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, and two counts of felony firearm. His identity is also being withheld due to his age.
18-Year-Old Jaylyn Colbert Arrested as Adult
18-year-old Jaylyn Lamont Colbert was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail on charges of assault with the intent to rob while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and three counts of felony firearm.
Colbert was arraigned May 8 and his bond was set at $500,000.
Two Guns Recovered From Vehicle
A search of the vehicle yielded two guns, including a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, and an AR-style pistol, along with high-capacity magazines and ammunition.
The 9mm was reported stolen out of Arizona according to KDPS.
Colbert Claimed He Did Not Know About Robbery
Colbert agreed to answer questions from police and said he picked up the other two from Interfaith and they agreed to pay him for a ride.
He denied knowing about the robbery and denied knowledge of any guns in the car according to court documents.
Another suspect interviewed said all three suspects knew of the plan to rob the victim and that they were going to split the proceeds.
Social Media Post Linked to Robbery
Investigators discovered that Colbert made a social media post on May 4 showing himself inside a vehicle with the Glock used in the robbery.
The Glock was recovered during the traffic stop according to court records.
Community Asked for Help
Anyone with additional information was asked to contact the KDPS Criminal Investigations Division at (269) 337-8137, or anonymously through the Kalamazoo Silent Observer tip line at (269) 343-2100.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence in the Kalamazoo area. Residents who feel unsafe are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to local authorities.