JACKSON Tn- Jackson police have arrested two Lane students on multiple charges related to an early morning armed robbery of another Lane student.
Around 1:10 a.m. Tuesday, officers were called to Edens Hall on Laconte Street. A male student told police that he was approached in Edens Hall by another student, Phillip Dowlen. Both students reside in Edens Hall.
Dowlen asked to buy a jacket that the victim was wearing. Dowlen told the victim that he would pay him later. When the victim told Dowlen that he would need the money now, Dowlen displayed a handgun and demanded the jacket. The victim complied with Dowlen's demand.
The victim pointed out Dowlen to police while officers were on the scene, and he was taken into custody. Officers recovered the victim's jacket from Dowlen's dorm room.
While officers were there, they were alerted to another student walking away with a book bag. Police received information that this student had been with Dowlen earlier.
Officers approached the student on the parking lot of Edens Hall and identified him as Terrance Becton. 20-year-old Becton was also a resident of Edens Hall. Becton gave officers permission to search, and they found a handgun and marijuana inside the book bag.
Further investigation determined that the handgun was used by Dowlen during the robbery. Officers also learned that the gun was placed in the book bag because police had been called, and Becton was attempting to remove the gun from the scene.
Dowlen and Becton were transported to the Madison County Jail.
Investigators anticipate charging Dowlen with aggravated robbery and Becton with tampering with evidence and simple possession of marijuana. Both men will be charged with possession of a weapon on school property.
