Lang
1/11/20
A rural Riverside man accused in an Iowa City home invasion and sexual assault case now faces charges stemming from a third incident.
Police say that in October 33-year-old Nikolas Petersen of 170th Street agreed to meet the mother of his child regarding custody of their son. The meeting came after an August incident in which Petersen allegedly entered the woman’s home on Mission Point Road without permission, beat her and endangered their child.
On the night of October 30th, the woman picked Petersen up on Algonquin Road, about a block from her residence, and took him to Konomi Grill on the Iowa River Landing in Coralville. Once there an argument ensued, and the woman left. Petersen allegedly caught up to her car on the roundabout in front of the Marriott and jumped on the hood to try and stop her. She continued home, but Petersen allegedly walked to the residence to continue the confrontation. Police say he tried to force open a door to the woman’s garage, causing about $300 in damage.
Petersen was observed trying to enter the residence by the woman and her babysitter. He is also seen on surveillance video at Konomi and leaving the woman’s residence after she called 9-1-1. His phone records place him at both Konomi and the woman’s residence on the night of the incident.
According to arrest records, Petersen entered the woman’s residence without permission again just after 3:30 the morning of November 16th, beat her and sexually assaulted her. Police say Petersen also held a knife to the woman’s throat and threatened to kill her. He allegedly grabbed the couple’s child while still holding the knife.
Petersen is charged with 4th Degree Criminal Mischief, Violating a No Contact Order and Trespassing Causing Damage Greater Than $200 stemming from the October incident. He was previously charged with 1st Degree Burglary, 2nd Degree Sexual Abuse, Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Airflow, Child Endangerment and a No Contact Order Violation for the November incident, and Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Airflow, 2nd Degree Burglary, 2nd Degree Theft, Child Endangerment and a No Contact Order Violation for the August incident.
If convicted on all charges from all three incidents, Petersen faces a maximum of 71 years in prison.
On Friday Judge Paul Miller pushed a trial date on the charges from the November incident back to April 14th after Petersen waived his right to a speedy trial. A March 3rd trial is set for the August incident.