Suspect in UK campus robbery said it was prank for YouTube, citation says

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - We now know the names of two people who police say robbed a student on the University of Kentucky’s campus.

It happened Tuesday in the courtyard near Boyd and Patterson Halls. UK Police Chief Joe Monroe says they got the call around 8 p.m., and they weren’t expecting what they found.

“The university does not see a lot of these type of crimes take place on our campus,” said Chief Monroe.

According to the arrest citations, UK Police say 22-year-old Corey Reyez went up to a student and said he was pranking people for his YouTube channel. At the same time, 23-year-old Jahiem Mullins would come up behind the victim and threaten them with a gun, saying, ‘Don’t make me use it.’

Police say the gun was loaded and had a round in the chamber. Both men are now facing charges in the robbery.

Police say Reyez is also facing conspiracy to commit robbery for claiming the crime was for social media.

“You could do pranks, but with pulling out a gun and acting like you robbing someone - that shouldn’t be tolerated,” said UK Senior Emmanuel Buckley.

“Some of the videos they put on there are very disturbing,” Chief Monroe said. “It’s concerning to us, as well as it should be to those individuals - because they may come across the wrong person”

While they can’t control who’s visiting campus, Chief Monroe says they have extra staff and patrol units out to start this fall semester and responded to this scene within two minutes.

“We have to protect our students, staff, faculty and visitors,” said Chief Monroe. “Even as a prank, that still puts a lot of people in danger.”

Even with all those efforts, Chief Monroe reiterated that safety is a shared responsibility. So he says if you’re concerned for yourself or someone else, don’t hesitate to make a call.

“Definitely be aware of your surroundings, carry good energy around with you anywhere you go - but also be mindful of where are you are, be alert,” Buckley said.