On Friday evening, PCPD officers responded to an attempted car jacking, involving gun shots, in the 400 Block of South Palm. When officers arrived, they located a male and female victim. The victims stated, when they returned home from the casino, two men came out of an apartment at 425 S. Palm and brandished a small revolver. One of the men demanded the keys to the car from the driver, who was in the front seat. He began assaulting the victim, who was able to get out and run. According to the victim’s statement, the suspect began shooting at him while he was running away. The victim also stated the second suspect was in the street, cheering on the first suspect, and telling the victim to give up his keys.
The same night, Investigators were able to identify the two suspects as 31 year old Derek Yahola and 20 year old Ethan Byrd. PCPD officers located both Yahola and Byrd in a detached garage at 408 S. Palm where they were both arrested without incident. Officers recovered the revolver that was used and it was later learned the revolver was stolen out of Newkirk.
During their investigation, Officers learned there had been a domestic that also occurred that evening involving Derek Yahola. The victim in that case also stated Yahola fired a shot towards her that evening.
Derek Yahola was booked in on charges of 1st degree robbery, Conspiracy to commit a felony, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of a firearm AFC, Possession of a Firearm while in Commission of a Felony, Knowingly Receiving Stolen Property, Domestic Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Domestic Strangulation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Ethan Byrd was booked in on charges of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
These are arrests, not convictions.
Derek Yahola Ethan Byrd
