Crime & Safety

Police: Man Cited for Detonating Firework, Causing 'A Loud Boom' Near Police Bomb Squad


An Iowa City man was cited this weekend after he allegedly detonated a firework while police bomb squad was busy investigating a suspicious package nearby.

According to an Iowa City Police criminal complaint, at 11:33 p.m. Sunday as police were actively investigating a "bomb crime scene" downtown, Steven Abraham Crittenden, 32, of Iowa City, allegedly threw a firework called a silver bomb cracker into the street in front of the Deadwood Tavern, causing "a loud boom."

Crittenden then allegedly went back into the Deadwood, then came back out and attempted to leave on his bike, according to the complaint. When police approached him to question him about the incident he told them "he didn't know anything about the fireworks" refusing to answer further questions on the subject. Police say Crittenden smelled strongly of alcohol and admitted to drinking that evening. When placed under arrest, two other silver bomb crackers were found on his person.

Crittenden was charged with interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor; fireworks exposed for sale or use, a simple misdemeanor; public intoxication, a simple misdemeanor; and reckless use of explosives, a serious misdemeanor. He is currenly in the Johnson County Jail on $2,500 bond, according to online jail records.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Iowa City