Crime & Safety

Editor's Picks: Man Arrested for 'Criminal Mischief with the Cheese': Best of 2012

Blake Oren Robinson, of Coralville, was arrested for "criminal mischief with the cheese" in a Hy-Vee bathroom.

Editor's Note: As the year winds down, Iowa City Patch is looking back at some of the stories that made you talk, cry, laugh or just scratch your head.


Coralville Man Arrested at Grocery Store for 'Criminal Mischief With The Cheese'

By Stephen Schmidt

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Originally published on March 6, 2012

An allegedly intoxicated Coralville man has been accused of stealing items from the First Avenue Hy-Vee Friday afternoon, including a jar of cheese that he allegedly proceeded to use to smear all over the men's restroom.

Find out what's happening in Iowa Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to a criminal complaint from the Iowa City police department, Blake Oren Robinson, 28, of Coralville, was seen loitering in the store, and then was shown on security video stealing a jar of Tostitos Salsa Con Queso Medium Cheese, chips and beer. He then allegedly began consuming them in the men's restroom, "committing criminal mischief with the cheese," according to the criminal complaint. This criminal mischief included opening the jar and spreading the cheese all over the floor and walls.

Iowa City is no stranger to strange crime. For more of the bizarre things that happen in Iowa City check out Iowa City Patch's Weird Crimes topics page.

Investigation by the police found Robinson with some of the beer still in his pocket. Robinson allegedly admitted to spreading the cheese because "he thought it would be funny." According to the criminal complaint, Robinson appeared intoxicated at the time of his arrest.

Police charged Robinson with public intoxication, third-degree theft and criminal mischief -- all misdemeanors.

A Hy-Vee employee had to clean up the cheese with standard toiletry items, according to the complaint.


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