Hunter
05/18/21
An Iowa City man was arrested last week when he allegedly harassed a woman painting a Ped Mall bench.
Police say the incident occurred May 10th at approximately 5:45 pm. 27-year-old Dequan Miles of South Dodge Street approached the woman, who was painting one of the benches on the Ped Mall for the Downtown Association. Miles told authorities that he attempted to talk to the woman but she “blew him off” and wouldn’t respond.
The woman claims that Miles then started to cat call her, saying things such as he likes women who are quiet and don’t talk back to him. The alleged harassment continued to the point that the woman felt uncomfortable remaining in the area, and went into the nearby Iowa City Public Library to get away from the man.
Staff at the Library identified Miles, as they have had previous problems with him. When the woman returned to the bench after a while, she discovered that the artwork was destroyed and painted over. Miles reportedly used about $100 worth of the woman’s paint that she had left behind.
When confronted by officers, Miles allegedly admitted to using the paint to deface the bench, saying he was annoyed and mad that the woman wouldn’t respond to him.
Miles was arrested and charged with 3rd degree Harassment, 3rd degree Theft, and 5th degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on all counts, Miles could be sentenced to 26 months in jail.