Hunter
10/07/20
An Iowa City man was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after allegedly being discovered intoxicated and carrying a loaded gun in his car.
Police were called to the McDonalds on South Riverside Drive just before 6am on reports of an intoxicated driver in the drive-through. Staff told dispatch that the man was drunk and had a gun in his possession. Upon arrival, an officer located the described vehicle in the parking lot.
Police say there was an open and half-empty bottle of Hawkeye Vodka and a loaded 9mm Century Arms pistol in plain view. The man, identified as 31-year-old Ali Abdalla of Willow Creek Drive, was located inside the restaurant, trying to get a refund from staff.
Officers say Abdalla had bloodshot watery eyes, uneasy balance, and thick slurred speech. He allegedly admitted to driving the vehicle, and owning the firearm police saw inside. He reportedly told them he carries the gun for his safety.
Field testing showed signs of impairment; a PBT showed a blood –alcohol level of .139 percent, with a Datamaster reading of .154 percent.
A check of Abdalla’s driving status showed him as barred as a habitual offender through March of 2023. He was taken into custody and charged with first offense OWI, Public Intoxication, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon while Intoxicated, and Driving while Barred. If convicted on all counts, Abdalla could be sentenced to a prison term of over four years.