Police arrest teens in Independence robbery

An Independence man was struck with a hammer and threatened with a rifle during a robbery, Independence police said.

According to a news release, Independence police responded to a Sixth Avenue residence shortly after 11:11 a.m. on Feb. 11 for a report of a robbery. The victim reported that two men and a woman entered his residence and confronted him. The victim reported the woman hit him on the side of the head with a carpenter hammer. He was knocked to the ground and held down by one of the men as the other man threatened him with a rifle.

Police said they found a small amount of marijuana and an herbal cutting agent at the scene. The marijuana was seized by police.

During the course of their investigation with the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, Ethan J. Walztoni, 18, of Independence; Seth M. Holschlag, 18, of New Hampton and Madison M. Clay, 17, of Alta Vista, were developed as suspects. The New Hampton Police Department and Chickasaw County Sheriff's Office joined the investigation. Though that investigation, Nathan L. Rosonke, 18, of New Hampton was also developed as a suspect.

Police said the three men were eventually held for questioning and Clay later turned herself in to authorities. A Chickasaw County investigator obtained confessions from all four suspects, police said.

All four suspects face charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, assault while participating in a felony, intimidation with a dangerous weapon and going armed with intent. All four remain in custody on separate $100,000 cash or surety bonds.