Hunter
09/04/23
An Iowa City woman was arrested Friday on a warrant stemming from a moped theft, then added to her troubles by allegedly bringing a meth pipe into the Johnson County Jail with her.
The moped theft reportedly occurred on June 26th. 48-year-old Nahida Brookhart of Slowthower Road was stopped for a traffic violation at 9am near the intersection of Melrose and Koser Avenues. A check of the moped she was operating found it to being stolen in Iowa City on the 10th.
When confronted with this information, Brookhart said she was given the moped by someone in exchange for another vehicle. She claimed not to know it had been stolen, but the vehicle had reportedly been freshly spray-painted pink, the ignition lock cylinder was removed, and the moped started by lifting the kick stand.
A warrant was issued for Brookhart’s arrest on July 7th, and she was taken into custody Friday evening. Brookhart was carrying a purse which had previously been searched by officers, and per procedure was asked if there was anything illegal inside. She advised that she didn’t think so, but a further search allegedly turned up a meth pipe with residue that tested positive for the drug.
Brookhart was already facing up to five years for 2nd degree Theft; by bringing contraband in to a correctional institution, she could be sentenced to an additional five years if convicted.