Iowa City Woman Cited for Tearing Down Wanted Posters in Search for Man Charged with Attempted Murder of Police Officer

An Iowa City woman who says she knows the man who is accused of attacking police sergeant Brian Krei was herself accused of reacting a little too zealously in an attempt to defend him Tuesday night.

Police cited Elyse Nicole Destefano, 21, for tearing down four "Wanted" posters at a Kum & Go convenience store at 323 E. Burlington St that were seeking the man who had assaulted Krei. The criminal charge, fifth-degree criminal mischief, is just a simple misdemeanor.

Wanted posters at a different Kum & Go at 25 W. Burlington St. were coincedentally key r for the crime earlier in the day, according to Iowa City Police Sgt. Denise Brotherton, as someone saw them and anonymously identified Plummer to police. Plummer was subsequently arrested and charged for the crime Tuesday night.

According to a criminal complaint, police were called to the Kum & Go at 323 E. Burlington St. at 9:40 p.m. and told that a woman had entered the convenience store and pulled down the posters, which read "2,000 Reward" and "Wanted for the attempted murder of an Iowa City Police officer" along with four photos of the suspect. The woman then allegedly left in her car.

Police were able to identify the woman from her car's license plates and met her at her residence, according to the complaint. She allegedly told them that she "freaked out" because she recognized Plummer, who is dating her roommate. She allegedly admitted to taking them and ripping them up so others would not recognize Plummer.