Pair arrested after dousing homeless couple in gasoline, beating them, police say

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

A couple were arrested after dousing two homeless people in gasoline then torturing and beating them, police said.

Police said Tymel Devonne Hicks, 27, invited the victims over to his apartment Tuesday, KATV reported.

At some point while they were over, an argument started about a missing gun and Hicks started beating them, police said.

Police said Hicks also called three others over to help.

Police said the victims, a 33-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, were pistol-whipped, hit in the head with the butt of a shotgun and a knife was held against one of their throats, KATV reported.

They were also forced into a bathtub, covered in gasoline and forced to drink some. While they were being tortured they were threatened to be burned alive, police said.

Hicks then allegedly made them change their clothes and hand over their cellphones.

Police were called to the apartment complex around 10 p.m. and found the female victim outside and terrified. She led them to the second-floor unit, where investigators could smell gasoline outside the door, KATV reported.

Police called for those inside to come out. Tausaafia Kayla Fitisemanu came out first, then Hicks.

The victims were taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The male victim suffered cuts, bruises and a spinal fracture. The female victim was bruised and sustained a skull fracture.Hicks was arrested and charged with murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, according to arrest records.

Fitisemanu, 25, was arrested and charged with murder, assault, obstruction of justice, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery, according to arrest records.

Police said Fitisemanu, 25, lied to them about her involvement.

Fitisemanu told police that she was in her bedroom with her children all night and did not know anyone had come over to the apartment. However independent statements from both victims dispute that.

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