Marion man accused of running over police bicycle, hitting a parked car with his truck while fleeing from police

Lang
9/5/21

A Marion man faces charges that he ran over a police bicycle and hit a parked car with his truck while trying to escape from police.

According to arrest records, an Iowa City Police officer encountered 22-year-old Benjamin Linderman of 10th Street inside the Capitol Street parking ramp after he tipped over a moped just after 1am Sunday. When the officer tried to make contact, Linderman allegedly fled to his nearby truck and backed out of a parking spot, running over and destroying the officer’s bicycle.

Linderman then allegedly backed into a parked car, causing damage, then ran over the bike again before driving off. Police say he then parked in another spot and again tried to flee on foot. Linderman was eventually captured by other officers after the initial officer sprained his ankle and received abrasions to his shin after trying to jump over guide cables.

Police say Linderman showed signs of intoxication, registered a blood alcohol level of .094%, and was not using an interlock device in his truck as required by law.

Linderman is charged with Operating While Intoxicated – 2nd Offense, Driving While Barred, Interference With Official Acts Causing Bodily Injury, and Public Intoxication. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of over five years in prison.