Four Armed Robberies in Two Weeks Have Businesses on High Alert

An Iowa City McDonald's was robbed early Thursday morning, the fourth such robbery since July 20.

Iowa City Police say they responded to a call of an armed robbery at the McDonald's at 2440 Mormon Trek Boulevard just before 1 a.m. Thursday. The suspect intercepted people as they were leaving the business and forced them back into the store, at gunpoint, where he took cash and/or property. No one was injured.

The suspect is described by victims as a 6-foot slender black male wearing a black hoodie, black gloves, sweatpants, and a black and white mask covering most of his faceWhile en route, officers were informed that the business had been robbed by a black male with a handgun. Following the robbery, he left the business and it's unknown which direction he left.

Iowa City Police are investigating this case and three other similar robberies on Iowa City's west side in the last two weeks.

• July 20, an armed robbery occurred at First American Bank at 640 Highway 1 West.
• July 23, an armed robbery was reported at Culver's at 710 Highway 1 West.
• July 25, multiple employees from Pancheros at 965 Riverside Drive was robbed at gunpoint after the businesses 1 a.m. closing.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that in all of the robberies, the suspect was described in similar fashion.

The Iowa City Area CrimeStoppers is offering up to a $1000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest of this suspect(s). If you have information, please contact CrimeStoppers at 358-TIPS (8477). All calls are held in strict confidence and anonymity is guaranteed. Individuals providing information do not have to reveal their identity to collect a reward.

[via Iowa City Police Department and Iowa City Press-Citizen]