Lang
5/8/21
A homeless man faces charges that he started a fire inside an electrical box in downtown Iowa City, causing over $1,000 in damage.
Iowa City Police were called to the alley between Apartments Near Campus and Szechuan House on the 300 block of East Burlington Street just after 8pm Thursday for a man starting a fire inside an electrical distribution box. The fire was still smoldering when police arrived. The suspect, identified as 49-year-old transient Brian Yauk, was still on the scene. Police say he admitted to igniting the blaze by lighting cardboard on fire beneath the box. Damage is estimated at $1,500.
Yauk was described by police as “agitated” and had to be detained for safety. One officer was injured trying to take him into custody.
Yauk is charged with 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief, Reckless Use of Fire or Explosives, and Interference With Officials Acts Causing Injury. If convicted on all three charges, Yauk faces a maximum of seven years in prison.