Lang
3/28/23
A shoplifting suspect faces charges that she kicked an Iowa City Police officer in the face.
Staff at the Waterfront Hy-Vee reported 37-year-old Elizabeth Leiss, who lists her address as Shelter House on Southgate Avenue, had shoplifted multiple items last week despite being banned from the store. Responding officers located Leiss at Shelter House with two bags of Hy-Vee merchandise. She allegedly showed signs of intoxication.
Police say Leiss kicked an officer in the face when he bent down to pick up the bags of stolen merchandise, causing a bruise and a headache. Leiss was arrested and charged with Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations Causing Injury, Interference with Official Acts Causing Injury, 3rd Degree Theft, Public Intoxication and Trespassing. If convicted on all charges, she faces a maximum of over six years in prison.
Leiss is facing multiple theft and assault charges from previous incidents, including one in which she allegedly threatened another woman with a knife at Goodwill near the same Hy-Vee.