2008 Woodie Awards
Metro Briefs
DI Metro Staff
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Metro
Man charged with 3rd OWI
An Iowa City man faces a felony OWI charge after registering a blood-alcohol concentration of .342, authorities reported.
Jeffery Erickson, 31, 755 Bayridge Drive, was charged with a third-offense OWI on March 8.
Iowa City police stopped Erickson in his Mazda Protege after a passenger in his vehicle had to grab the wheel to avoid a crash on the 1800 block of South Riverside Drive.
Erickson had a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and a dazed appearance, police allege. He failed field-sobriety tests and registered a .342 blood-alcohol concentration.
Erickson has two previous OWI convictions from March 1998 and April 1998.
Third-offense OWI is a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $9,375.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Hitman threat a scam, authorities say
Iowa law-enforcement officials are informing the public that an e-mail threatening to kill the recipient is a scam.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety said March 6 that numerous people have reported receiving an e-mail that demands money or financial information or the sender will have a hit man kill the person.
"While it is disturbing to receive one of these e-mails, they are a scam," Eugene Meyer, commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, said in a statement.
Officials said that the e-mail demanding money or financial information - known as phishing - is a hoax. They remind residents not to reply to the e-mail and never to give our personal information unless they know where the information is being sent.
Authorities also ask citizens to file reports with police and at www.ic3.gov after receiving such an e-mail.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Area man charged with forgery
A Coralville man faces two felonies after allegedly passing two bad checks in the last month, Iowa City police reported.
Adam Melcher, 32, is charged with two counts of forgery.
According to reports, he passed a fictitious check to get $1,015 on Feb. 8 at El Paso, 609 Hollywood Blvd.
On March 5, he then allegedly tried to pass another fake check worth $2,352, but a store employee recognized Melcher and confronted him. Melcher left the area.
Police later identified him. Melcher said told authorities he got the checks from a man he knows as "Black," and said he thought the checks were "funny," reports said.
Each forgery charge is a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Man charged in cab robberies
Police on Sunday arrested an 18-year-old who reportedly robbed two cab drivers in two days, authorities reported.
Edward Williams, also known as Eric Johnson or EJ, address unknown, is charged with first- and second-degree robbery in connection with the two incidents, reports show.
In the first incident, police responded to 1958 Broadway around 2 a.m. March 7 after receiving a report that a cab driver had been robbed.
Reports showed Williams and another person called the cab for a ride, arrived at the Broadway location, exited, then allegedly opened the cab driver's door and pointed a handgun at the driver. Williams reportedly took cash, then fled the area.
The next day, March Williams reportedly stole from a cab driver again around 11 p.m. at 2610 Bartelt Road.
Officers arrested Williams in the area of 333 Finkbine Lane after the driver - who sustained scratches to his wrist - identified him. Williams reportedly admitted to police he was in the cab with the victim that evening.
First-degree robbery is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Second-degree robbery is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Inmate charged with sex act
A man in Johnson County Jail for an OWI was charged again after he reportedly performed a sex act on another person March 7, sheriff's deputies said.
Donald Clark, 39, 431 S. Scott Blvd., is charged with indecent exposure and second-offense OWI, reports show.
Authorities said Clark was in Johnson County Jail around 3:30 a.m. when he performed a sex act on someone in the view of another person or persons.
Clark "admitted he committed the sex act to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either party of the sex act," and he should have known the act was offensive to the viewer, deputies said.
Clark was originally taken to Johnson County Jail after he was arrested for OWI at 1:44 a.m. March 7. He smelled of alcohol, failed field-sobriety tests, and refused a preliminary breath test.
Indecent exposure is a serious misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,875. Second-offense OWI is an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $6,250.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Man charged in stabbing
A Chicago man reportedly stabbed another person during a dispute March 8, Coralville police reported.
Lorenzo Jones, 22, is charged with willful injury causing serious injury, a felony, reports show.
According to police, Lorenzo and some friends were involved in a fight at 941 Boston Way, Coralville.
Lorenzo allegedly stabbed someone with a knife and fled the scene.
He was later located and arrested by officers. The victim was transported to UI Hospitals and Clinics.
Willful injury causing serious injury is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Man charged with burglary
Iowa City police reported a man who reportedly forced his way into an apartment March 8 faces a felony charge, reports show.
Michael Britton, 54, 1406 Spruce St., is charged with first-degree burglary.
Officers responded to 1100 Arthur St. Apt. M5 around 7:30 p.m. on March 8 on an assault call.
Police allege that Britton forced his way into the apartment when one of the residents had the door partly opened, pushing the person to the floor, causing injuries to the chest and hand.
Britton reportedly had the victim's cell phone and refused to return it.
He was polite and cooperative with officers, reports show, until the victim's phone started ringing.
Police obtained the phone and placed Britton under arrest, though he resisted.
First-degree burglary is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Police seek help in spate of vandalism
Iowa City police are asking for help in apprehending the person or persons responsible for a recent surge in vandalism in the city.
According to reports, police have received more than 30 reports of vehicle vandalism since Feb. 28, authorities said March 7.
The incidents are normally reports of vehicle windows shot out sometime at night with BBs or pellets. The vehicles affected are normally parked on public roads during the incidents.
Most of the reports through March 5 happened on the West Side of Iowa City. Reports after that mostly occurred on the southeastern part of the city.
Area Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the vandalism.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Final provost finalists to be on campus
The final two candidates in the UI provost search will speak this week, with the fourth one speaking today.
Camilla Persson Benbow, dean of education and human development at Vanderbilt University, will speak at a public forum at 3:30 p.m. today in S401 Pappajohn Business Building and in a public symposium at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Old Capitol Senate Chamber.
During Benbow's first appearance, she will answer questions from a panel and audience members. On Tuesday, she will give a speech titled "The Primary Challenges Facing Public Research Universities Today."
The second finalist this week, and final one overall, will be announced on Tuesday and will interview on Wednesday and Thursday.
The first three - Robert Sternberg of Tufts University, Suzanne Ortega of the University of Washington, and Arlene Carney of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - spoke during the week of Feb. 25.
The candidates are interviewing to replace former UI Provost Michael Hogan, who left in September 2007 to head the University of Connecticut.
- by Ashton Shurson
CR-area man charged with kidnapping, abuse
Iowa City police arrested a man who reportedly displayed a handgun and kidnapped a woman and her 2-year-old daughter on March 8, reports show.
Damian Forbes, 21, Cedar Rapids, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree kidnapping and domestic-abuse assault with intent or display of a weapon, police said.
According to reports, Forbes and the woman lived together in Cedar Rapids until the woman moved to Iowa City. They agreed to meet at Hy-Vee, 1720 Waterfront Drive, on the night of March 8.
Forbes reportedly displayed a handgun during the meeting around 9 p.m., and ordered the woman and her daughter into a car. As the woman tried to flee, he allegedly tried to take the child. The woman and child escaped, and Forbes fled the area.
Police later apprehended him in Marion.
The investigation of the incident is ongoing, and police expect additional charges to be filed.
Each count of second-degree kidnapping is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Domestic-abuse assault with intent or display of a weapon is an aggravated misdemeanor, generally punishable by two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
An Iowa City man faces a felony OWI charge after registering a blood-alcohol concentration of .342, authorities reported.
Jeffery Erickson, 31, 755 Bayridge Drive, was charged with a third-offense OWI on March 8.
Iowa City police stopped Erickson in his Mazda Protege after a passenger in his vehicle had to grab the wheel to avoid a crash on the 1800 block of South Riverside Drive.
Erickson had a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and a dazed appearance, police allege. He failed field-sobriety tests and registered a .342 blood-alcohol concentration.
Erickson has two previous OWI convictions from March 1998 and April 1998.
Third-offense OWI is a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $9,375.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Hitman threat a scam, authorities say
Iowa law-enforcement officials are informing the public that an e-mail threatening to kill the recipient is a scam.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety said March 6 that numerous people have reported receiving an e-mail that demands money or financial information or the sender will have a hit man kill the person.
"While it is disturbing to receive one of these e-mails, they are a scam," Eugene Meyer, commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, said in a statement.
Officials said that the e-mail demanding money or financial information - known as phishing - is a hoax. They remind residents not to reply to the e-mail and never to give our personal information unless they know where the information is being sent.
Authorities also ask citizens to file reports with police and at www.ic3.gov after receiving such an e-mail.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Area man charged with forgery
A Coralville man faces two felonies after allegedly passing two bad checks in the last month, Iowa City police reported.
Adam Melcher, 32, is charged with two counts of forgery.
According to reports, he passed a fictitious check to get $1,015 on Feb. 8 at El Paso, 609 Hollywood Blvd.
On March 5, he then allegedly tried to pass another fake check worth $2,352, but a store employee recognized Melcher and confronted him. Melcher left the area.
Police later identified him. Melcher said told authorities he got the checks from a man he knows as "Black," and said he thought the checks were "funny," reports said.
Each forgery charge is a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Man charged in cab robberies
Police on Sunday arrested an 18-year-old who reportedly robbed two cab drivers in two days, authorities reported.
Edward Williams, also known as Eric Johnson or EJ, address unknown, is charged with first- and second-degree robbery in connection with the two incidents, reports show.
In the first incident, police responded to 1958 Broadway around 2 a.m. March 7 after receiving a report that a cab driver had been robbed.
Reports showed Williams and another person called the cab for a ride, arrived at the Broadway location, exited, then allegedly opened the cab driver's door and pointed a handgun at the driver. Williams reportedly took cash, then fled the area.
The next day, March Williams reportedly stole from a cab driver again around 11 p.m. at 2610 Bartelt Road.
Officers arrested Williams in the area of 333 Finkbine Lane after the driver - who sustained scratches to his wrist - identified him. Williams reportedly admitted to police he was in the cab with the victim that evening.
First-degree robbery is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Second-degree robbery is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Inmate charged with sex act
A man in Johnson County Jail for an OWI was charged again after he reportedly performed a sex act on another person March 7, sheriff's deputies said.
Donald Clark, 39, 431 S. Scott Blvd., is charged with indecent exposure and second-offense OWI, reports show.
Authorities said Clark was in Johnson County Jail around 3:30 a.m. when he performed a sex act on someone in the view of another person or persons.
Clark "admitted he committed the sex act to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either party of the sex act," and he should have known the act was offensive to the viewer, deputies said.
Clark was originally taken to Johnson County Jail after he was arrested for OWI at 1:44 a.m. March 7. He smelled of alcohol, failed field-sobriety tests, and refused a preliminary breath test.
Indecent exposure is a serious misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,875. Second-offense OWI is an aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $6,250.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Man charged in stabbing
A Chicago man reportedly stabbed another person during a dispute March 8, Coralville police reported.
Lorenzo Jones, 22, is charged with willful injury causing serious injury, a felony, reports show.
According to police, Lorenzo and some friends were involved in a fight at 941 Boston Way, Coralville.
Lorenzo allegedly stabbed someone with a knife and fled the scene.
He was later located and arrested by officers. The victim was transported to UI Hospitals and Clinics.
Willful injury causing serious injury is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Man charged with burglary
Iowa City police reported a man who reportedly forced his way into an apartment March 8 faces a felony charge, reports show.
Michael Britton, 54, 1406 Spruce St., is charged with first-degree burglary.
Officers responded to 1100 Arthur St. Apt. M5 around 7:30 p.m. on March 8 on an assault call.
Police allege that Britton forced his way into the apartment when one of the residents had the door partly opened, pushing the person to the floor, causing injuries to the chest and hand.
Britton reportedly had the victim's cell phone and refused to return it.
He was polite and cooperative with officers, reports show, until the victim's phone started ringing.
Police obtained the phone and placed Britton under arrest, though he resisted.
First-degree burglary is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Police seek help in spate of vandalism
Iowa City police are asking for help in apprehending the person or persons responsible for a recent surge in vandalism in the city.
According to reports, police have received more than 30 reports of vehicle vandalism since Feb. 28, authorities said March 7.
The incidents are normally reports of vehicle windows shot out sometime at night with BBs or pellets. The vehicles affected are normally parked on public roads during the incidents.
Most of the reports through March 5 happened on the West Side of Iowa City. Reports after that mostly occurred on the southeastern part of the city.
Area Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the vandalism.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
Final provost finalists to be on campus
The final two candidates in the UI provost search will speak this week, with the fourth one speaking today.
Camilla Persson Benbow, dean of education and human development at Vanderbilt University, will speak at a public forum at 3:30 p.m. today in S401 Pappajohn Business Building and in a public symposium at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Old Capitol Senate Chamber.
During Benbow's first appearance, she will answer questions from a panel and audience members. On Tuesday, she will give a speech titled "The Primary Challenges Facing Public Research Universities Today."
The second finalist this week, and final one overall, will be announced on Tuesday and will interview on Wednesday and Thursday.
The first three - Robert Sternberg of Tufts University, Suzanne Ortega of the University of Washington, and Arlene Carney of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities - spoke during the week of Feb. 25.
The candidates are interviewing to replace former UI Provost Michael Hogan, who left in September 2007 to head the University of Connecticut.
- by Ashton Shurson
CR-area man charged with kidnapping, abuse
Iowa City police arrested a man who reportedly displayed a handgun and kidnapped a woman and her 2-year-old daughter on March 8, reports show.
Damian Forbes, 21, Cedar Rapids, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree kidnapping and domestic-abuse assault with intent or display of a weapon, police said.
According to reports, Forbes and the woman lived together in Cedar Rapids until the woman moved to Iowa City. They agreed to meet at Hy-Vee, 1720 Waterfront Drive, on the night of March 8.
Forbes reportedly displayed a handgun during the meeting around 9 p.m., and ordered the woman and her daughter into a car. As the woman tried to flee, he allegedly tried to take the child. The woman and child escaped, and Forbes fled the area.
Police later apprehended him in Marion.
The investigation of the incident is ongoing, and police expect additional charges to be filed.
Each count of second-degree kidnapping is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Domestic-abuse assault with intent or display of a weapon is an aggravated misdemeanor, generally punishable by two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
- by Kurtis Hiatt
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