Hunter
03/05/22
An Iowa City man was arrested early Friday morning after allegedly threatening to kill a resident in his apartment building.
Police say the incident occurred around 5:15 am in the 400 block of Highway 1 West, where 58-year-old James Tippe was a resident. He’s accused of kicking the door into the victim’s apartment and entering with a knife in his hand. The victim was awoken to the sound of his apartment door being kicked in, and locked his bedroom door. He then retreated to a bathroom inside the bedroom, locking that door.
Tippe allegedly tried to break in the bedroom door, punched a hole in the door, and was yelling that he was going to kill the man. When officers arrived, Tippe was inside the victim’s apartment. The knife that Tippe brought with him into the apartment was located and described as a kitchen knife with a 4 to 5 inch blade.
Tippe reportedly stated he was invited into the apartment by the victim and refused to make any further statements.
Tippe was taken into custody and charged with 1st degree Burglary and 1st degree Harassment. If convicted on both counts, he faces up to 27 years in prison. A no-contact order was requested by the victim.