Lang
4/29/22
A transient wanted for allegedly stealing a motorcycle was taken into custody Thursday after allegedly reporting a made-up murder to Iowa City Police.
According to arrest records, 53-year-old Jeffrey Chapman called 9-1-1 just after 7:45 Thursday night to report that a woman had been murdered inside her Williams Street residence.
Numerous officers responded and found Chapman at the scene. He allegedly told them that the woman had been shot multiple times, although witnesses reported hearing no gunshots.
Police say Chapman gave them a suspect’s name, although that person had been in jail since Monday. 9-1-1 dispatchers were able to contact the alleged victim, who said she was fine.
Chapman has a history of making false reports of gunshots to law enforcement. If convicted on the latest charges of Malicious Prosecution, Making a False Report of an Indicatable Offense to a Public Entity and Making a False Report to 9-1-1, he faces a maximum of 25 months in jail.
Police say Chapman was wanted on a 2nd Degree Theft charge stemming from a March 7th incident while he was living in the Hilltop manufactured housing community. Chapman allegedly wrote a check to a business on Escort Lane for $6,734.90 for the purchase of a 2018 Kawasaki motorcycle. The check was written on a closed account.
If convicted on the theft charge, Chapman faces up to five years in prison.