Hunter
09/26/20
A Coralville man wanted on warrants stemming from a burglary and assault involving a stabbing was taken into custody this week after an alleged domestic assault.
According to police, 35-year-old James Joy of the Iowa Lodge on 2nd Street was observed at the Kum & Go on Muscatine Avenue in Iowa City just after midnight on Wednesday, involved in a physical altercation with a woman. Joy is accused of throwing beer cans at the woman outside the store, causing her to run into the women’s bathroom with Joy following her.
Joy reportedly grabbed the woman by the neck and threw her down, taking her phone away from her. She reported to authorities that she had a serious injury to her leg along with complaints of pain around the neck. Joy fled the scene and was later located by officers at a nearby apartment complex. They reportedly gave Joy several orders to stop for them, but he kept walking, then ran away from officers.
The couple currently reside together, and have been in an intimate relationship for the past eight years.
Joy was eventually apprehended and charged with Assault causing Serious Injury, Domestic Abuse Assault with Intent to Cause Serious Injury, and Interference with Official Acts. A no-contact order was requested between the couple.
Joy was wanted on warrants for two separate incidents.
On the morning of August 26th, Joy is accused of punching a 17-year old boy in the face at Wayne Avenue and Arthur Street during a dispute over the sale of an automobile. A fight allegedly ensued, during which Joy reportedly produced a knife. He chased the teen and caught him, stabbing him in the abdomen. Witnesses called police, and Joy fled the scene. The boy had to be transported to the UIHC for surgery. Joy was charged with Willful Injury causing Serious Injury and Going Armed with Intent.
The other incident occurred at the Town and Campus Apartments the evening of July 16th. Joy and another accomplice allegedly went to a residence there, where Joy is accused of kicking the door in. The two were inside for a short time before leaving, but Joy reportedly returned about twenty minutes later. Five minutes after that, the female victim reported seeing Joy riding her bike which was locked inside her apartment. Police were able to locate the bike a short time later at the apartment complex Joy was living in at the time. He was charged with 3rd degree Burglary and 4th degree Criminal Mischief in that instance.
If convicted on all counts involving Joy, he could be sentenced to over 28 years in prison.