Hunter/AP
01/0/20
The suspect in the armed robbery of a student at a Cedar Rapids high school this week has had his bond hearing.
Cedar Rapids police said Wednesday that 18-year-old Jovon Ellis Jr. is charged with 2nd degree robbery.
The robbery was reported a little after 3:30 p.m. Monday in a parking lot at Kennedy High School. The 18-year-old student was nearing her vehicle when confronted by the robber. Police say he displayed a handgun, took only her cellphone, and ran from the scene. She was not injured.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that police used school security footage to identify Ellis as the alleged robber. Using the “lost phone feature” on the victim’s phone, they traced the phone to Ellis’ residence, where he allegedly admitted to the robbery.
A check of court records by the Gazette found Ellis has two cases pending; one for assault causing bodily injury and another for 2nd degree robbery and extortion.
Bond was set at $50,000 cash only as the judge appointed the public defender’s office to represent Ellis.
If convicted on the charge, he could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison.