Crime & Safety

Iowa City Police Officer Assaulted Downtown Friday Morning

Police are looking for a man who allegedly fought an Iowa City police officer Friday morning, temporarily placing him in a strangle hold.

Update: The Iowa City Police Department released a security camera photo of the man they believe to be the assailant. This photo was added to the story.

Iowa City Veteran Police Officer Assaulted

The is looking for more information on a man who they say assaulted a 29-year police officer Friday morning.

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According to a police press release, the scuffle happened at about 2:10 a.m. near the intersection of Burlington and Linn streets. The veteran officer reportedly saw a man disrupting traffic in the middle of the street.

The officer approached the man nearby at the 300 block of Burlington Street and asked for his license. The man reportedly refused, according to the release, and attempted to run away.

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The release said the officer then grabbed the man from behind to slow him, causing both men to fall to the ground. The man maneuvered behind the officer, choking him with his arm. The assailant then ran south from the scene on Linn Street, according to the release.

The suspect is described as a white man in his early 20s, about 6'1" to 6'2" in height with a thin build. He had short brown hair and was wearing blue jeans and white shoes. Before the fight with the officer, he was wearing a dark gray T-shirt. The shirt was torn off during the fight and he ran bare-chested from the scene, according to the release.

The officer reportedly suffered a head laceration, scrapes on his hands and legs and bruising to his neck and throat. He was treated at a local hospital and released.

Video from the police car indicates some people may have been in the area of the crime as it happened. Anyone who may have seen the incident is encouraged to contact the Iowa City Police Department at (319) 356-5276.

Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers is also offering a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the man. Anyone with information about this crime should contact CrimeStoppers at 358-TIPS (8477). All calls are confidential and the person who gives information does not have to reveal their identity to receive the award.


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