Iowa City woman charged after damaging vehicle and threatening to beat up woman

Hunter
04/18/23

A Coralville woman wanted on a trespass and criminal mischief warning was arrested early Monday after threatening to “beat a woman’s ass” and shattering her vehicle’s windshield.

Police were called to the 300 block of FInkbine Lane in Iowa City around 1:15 am on reports of an altercation in progress. 18-year-old Bernice Johnson of 4th Avenue reportedly made threatening statements to the victim, including how she would assault her and, quote, “beat her ass.” She then allegedly picked up a rock and threw it at the victim’s SUV, destroying the windshield.

Johnson reportedly continued her tirade, yelling for the woman to come out of her residence so she could “beat her ass.”  Officers continued to warn Johnson, but she continued to engage in the threatening behavior. She reportedly confirmed that she broke the woman’s windshield.

Johnson was wanted on a warrant after refusing to leave the Arby’s on 1st Avenue the afternoon of March 10th. She had been trespassed from the restaurant earlier in the day, but returned and refused to leave. An employee who told her to leave had their cellphone slapped out of their hand by Johnson, causing it to fall to the ground and break the screen protector.

Johnson faces charges of Disorderly Conduct and 4th degree Criminal Mischief for Monday’s incident, with Trespass and 5th degree Criminal Mischief charges for the March incident. If convicted on all counts, she could be sentenced to up to 14 months in jail.