Hunter
10/17/23
An area transient who was charged with marijuana possession and carrying a toy gun after being arrested for failing to appear for his non-jury trial on theft has been arrested again for another alleged theft.
41-year-old Abdiqani Haji Mohamud was at the Iowa City Walmart Saturday afternoon and was reportedly witnessed by store employees attempting to leave the store with over $280 in merchandise without paying for the items. When confronted by officers, Mohamud admitted to the attempted theft and was arrested.
Mohamud had prior theft convictions and was wanted for failing to appear for a 5th degree theft trial when he was arrested early last Wednesday outside the Waterfront HyVee. He allegedly pulled a revolver-style bb gun from his waistband without being asked, prompting officers to handcuff him. A subsequent search allegedly turned up a bag of marijuana and a meth pipe with residue inside.
Mohammad was already facing over five years in prison if convicted on the previous incidents; adding Saturday’s attempted theft, Mohamud could be sentenced to over seven years.