Tiffin
CRIME & SAFETY
Memorial held in Iowa City for Liara Tsai
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Thursday night, a group in Iowa City honored Liara Tsai after she was found dead earlier this week in Minnesota. Friends and family came together for a memorial at Gabe’s in Iowa City, where Tsai often performed as a DJ. Olivia Anderson says she...
Arizona man with potentially fatal BAC level arrested for OWI after crash on I-80 in Iowa City
An alleged drunk driver with a potentially fatal amount of alcohol in his system has been arrested after a crash on Interstate 80 in Iowa City. Iowa City Police were called to an accident involving a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria on westbound I-80 near the Dubuque Street exit just before 9:15 Saturday night. Investigators say the driver…20-year-old Gregor Pratt of Peoria, Arizona…had an open can of “The Beast” hard energy drink under his seat, with a half-empty box of the same Monster-produced beverage on the side of the road. Paramedics say Pratt was in and out of consciousness in the ambulance. Pratt reportedly showed signs of impairment, and his breath alcohol level was measured at .375% on a portable Breathalyzer test. He refused Datamaster testing.
North Liberty woman accused of leading Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies on late night chase
A North Liberty woman faces charges that she led Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase west of Iowa City late Friday night. 46-year-old Angela Dyson of Swan Lake Road was allegedly observed by a deputy driving a 2007 Chevy Uplander with no front license plate on the 3900 block of Ivy Avenue…just south of IWV Road…just before 11:15 p.m. A traffic stop was attempted, but Dyson reportedly sped up, reaching speeds of up to 90 miles per hour in a 50 mile per hour gravel zone. At one point she allegedly blew through a stop sign.
Cedar Rapids Meth Dealer Sentenced To Life In Prison
(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- A Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to life in federal prison. A jury found 66-year-old Michael Brunson guilty of drug charges last October. Evidence at trial showed Brunson, who also went by the name "Jaxon" was a large-scale meth dealer in the Cedar Rapids area. The judge noted Brunson had been deterred in the past, and his conduct has been a plague on society.
Convicted felon facing child endangerment charges faces new firearms charges
A convicted felon already facing child endangerment charges now faces weapons charges after he allegedly illegally used a firearm at a local gun range. 45-year-old Alfred Washington was originally booked into the Johnson County Jail in May after his 15-year-old son reported that his father had beaten him with wooden paint stirrers, an electric cord, and his own fists. A second alleged victim reported Washington had beaten her with a belt and struck her in the chest. Both children’s’ injuries were corroborated by investigators.
City of Cedar Rapids asking for help reporting vandalism after damage to parks
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - The city of Cedar Rapids says from May 21 to June 21 of this year, it’s seen more than $5,000 in damage from vandalism to local parks. That damage has taken more than 50 staff hours to repair, and the city says park restrooms may occasionally be closed while repairs continue. Now, the city is asking people to keep an eye out while visiting parks and report damage through MyCR at https://www.cedar-rapids.org/mycr/.
Iowa City Police catch businesses selling tobacco to underage people twice in one month
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa City Police say two businesses were caught selling tobacco, alternative nicotine or vapor products to underage individuals twice within a one-month time frame. The Iowa City Police Department conducted tobacco sales law compliance checks from May 28 – June 11 on 59 local businesses....
Iowa City woman arrested after reportedly driving off demolished Gilbert Street bridge
Reportedly driving off the demolished Gilbert Street Bridge has led to an Iowa City woman’s arrest. Iowa City Police say just before 2:00 Saturday morning 45-year-old Rosalia Chavez Amaya of the Modern Manor manufactured housing community drove her 2015 Ford Explorer through the clearly marked construction zone on Gilbert Street, including around equipment and signs, before driving off the demolished bridge. She reportedly showed signs of intoxication and registered a breath alcohol level of .120%.
Cedar Rapids getting stricter with speed cameras due to new state law
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - A new state law regarding automated traffic ticket enforcement will cause Cedar Rapids to be more stringent in regards to their speed camera ticketing policy. House File 2681, which was signed into law on May 17th, lists a specific fee structure that the City’s Automated...
Coralville motel guest accused of assaulting police after calling them himself
A guest at a Coralville motel is accused of assaulting police after he himself called them to check on his sick wife. According to arrest records, 48-year-old George Jackson of Westwinds Drive in Iowa City was staying at the MainStay Suites on Holiday Road when he called 9-1-1 at 1:30 Friday morning to report that his wife was very intoxicated and was vomiting. Arriving Coralville Police say Jackson refused to let them into the room to check on his wife’s welfare. Jackson allegedly shoved an officer out the door. He later reportedly elbowed the same officer in the head as police were trying to get Jackson’s pants up.
Iowa City woman charged with child endangerment
An Iowa City woman faces jail time after allegedly taking care of her children in unsafe conditions. Police were called to the Town and Campus Apartments residence of 36-year-old Corina Jordan Wednesday night on reports of a female beating two young children. Upon arrival, Jordan reportedly exhibited several signs of drug use. According to the criminal complaint, it was apparent that Jordan was under the influence of a narcotic and unable to properly take care of her children.
Fire destroys machine shed & excavating equipment inside
LINN COUNTY, Iowa — A large machine shed in Linn County was destroyed Saturday afternoon, causing traffic disruptions southeast of Cedar Rapids. Fire crews were called to the 4900 block of Lakeside Road around 4:45pm. When they arrived, the shed was already engulfed in flames. No one was hurt,...
Iowa City man accused of using stolen credit card at two convenience stores
An Iowa City man was arrested hours after allegedly using a stolen credit card at two convenience stores. Police say 68-year-old Darill Johnson of East Burlington Street used the card at Kum & Go downtown and spent over $50 on items just after 6:15am Wednesday. Less than 15 minutes later, Johnson reportedly went into the L&M Mighty Shop and spent over $140, paying for the merchandise with the stolen card.
Iowa City Police officers honored for saving suicidal subject
Two Iowa City Police officers were honored on Friday for their role in saving the life of a suicidal subject. According to an ICPD news release, on the afternoon of May 23rd Officer Isaiah McNamee and Officer Michael Harkrider were called to a report of a suicidal man on the outside of a glass barrier on the 12th floor of a building. During the incident, McNamee stepped onto the ledge and grabbed the man’s arms, holding him against the glass to prevent him from falling. McNamee talked with the man for 20 minutes in order to gain his trust and cooperation.
Transient given deferred judgment on charges he spent over $16K with credit card stolen from Iowa City business owner
A transient accused of using a stolen credit card to make over $16,000 in purchases has been given a deferred judgment. That ruling came from Judge Elizabeth Dupuich earlier this week in the case of 33-year-old Liviu Stelica. Stelica was arrested after the owner of OM Gifts for Body and...
Suspect accused of stealing $2,000 bicycle from Coralville apartment building
Coralville Police say a suspect stole a $2,000 bicycle from an apartment building on the Iowa River Landing. 42-year-old Eric Kelley of 1st Avenue is accused of entering the nearby Banks apartments on East 7th Street at approximately 2:00 on the morning of May 16th, taking a bike that did not belong to him, and riding it out of the building. Investigators say the entire incident was captured on security video.
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