Iowa City Police Investigate Attempted Sexual Assault, Burglaries in Wetherby Neighborhood

Iowa City Police are looking for more information about a pair of burglaries and an attempted sexual assault that took place in the Wetherby Neighborhood early Sunday morning.

According to a police press release, at 12:14 a.m. on Sunday Iowa City Police Officers responded to a residence in the Wetherby Neighborhood in southeast Iowa City for the report of burglary in progress.

While enroute, the officers learned that an unknown male had forced entry into the residence and attempted to steal several items, when the homeowner woke up, confronted the man and chased him out of the residence. The homeowner continued to chase the man, but the man threatened to shoot him so the homeowner stopped his chase.

At 1:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to another residence in Wetherby for a report of another burglary that had just occurred. In this burglary, it was reported the suspect followed the same pattern, forcing his way in and beginning to steal items, when he came upon a 14-year-old girl, according to the release. The girl later told police that the man attempted to sexually assault her, telling her he had a gun and should do as he said, when an adult interrupted by returning to the residence and the man fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of money and property.

Although police had a description of the suspect and flooded the area they were unable to find him at the time of the burglaries, according to the release.

It is not known whether the two incidents are connected, but evidence suggests the crimes were commited by the same man, according to the police. According to the release, the man was described by all involved as a black male having a light to medium complexion, 5'5" - 5'8" in height, medium build, being approximately 20-years of age, and wearing a black long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt with red sleeves, blue jeans, and grey/black "Polo" shoes. 

Officers canvassed the neighborhood for further information from residents, and were told that there had been a man hanging around the area the previous few days asking people about where and when they go to work, according to the release. This person reportedly went by the street name of "Freaky Tone." Other members of the public are encouraged to contact police if they encountered or heard of similar incidents happening.

Police say this suspect should be considered armed and dangerous and the public is encouraged to not confront this person and to call police if they believe they know who or where this person is. Both of these incidents remain under investigation.

Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers is offering up to a $1000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of this suspect. Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact CrimeStoppers at 358-TIPS (8477). All calls are confidential, and the caller's identity does not need to be revealed to collect the reward.