Topeka Man Charged With Eight Store Robberies

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was indicted Wednesday on charges of eight robberies at area businesses, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Joseph Bryant Toole, III, 35, Topeka, Kan., is charged with the following robberies:

• Nov. 2, 2018: Lynn’s Liquor Store, 3335 Southwest Gage Boulevard, Topeka, Kan.
• Sept. 20, 2018: Lynn’s Liquor Store.
• July 16, 2018, Lynn’s Liquor Store
• March 25, 2018, Sonic Drive-In Restaurant, 1015 E. 23rd, Lawrence, Kan.
• July 17, 2018: Kwik Shop, 746 Northeast Wabash Avenue, Topeka.
• Sept. 13, 2018: Mexican Taco Shop, 3703 Southwest Burlingame Road, Topeka.
• Sept. 20, 2018: Gas Trip, 550 Southwest Croco Road, Topeka.
• Sept. 30, 2018: Super Store, 4301 Southwest 21st Street, Topeka.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The Topeka Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Damario Deante Brooks, 36, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 18, 2018, in Topeka. Brooks was sentenced to 30 months on federal drug charges in 2016.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

This case is being prosecuted under the Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

William F. Bivens, III, Topeka, Kan., is charged in a superseding indictment with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 18, 2018, and Oct. 12, 2018, in Topeka.

 If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

This case is being prosecuted under the Justice Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.