Hunter
09/01/22
A Cedar Rapids man was arrested Wednesday night after allegedly threatening people at Shelter House in Iowa City by swinging and stabbing at people with a knife.
42-year-old Michael Trask of Lexington Drive Northeast was reportedly seen on a surveillance camera with an open pocket knife in his right hand, gesturing the blade towards individuals outside the facility on Southgate Avenue. Persons around Trask flinched back and ran away from him. One ran into Shelter House and told staff to call police because Trask was swinging his knife at people.
Trask was seen putting the knife into his rear right side pants pocket, which is where officers reportedly located it. He allegedly told officers that he was angry because someone stole his beer.
Police say that Trask had bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of ingested alcohol. He refused a PBT. While being placed in handcuffs, Trask allegedly told the officer he should watch how tight he put them on him, because he would put them on too tight on the officer’s wife or daughter. He also allegedly called the officer a “retard.”
Trask faces a handful of charges relating to the incident. They include Going Armed with Intent, Harassment of a Public Official, Public Intoxication, and Disorderly Conduct. If convicted on all charges, Trask faces a prison term of up to over five years.