Iowa City Police: Transient broke into apartment to continue ongoing assault, faces up to 32 years in prison if convicted

Lang
11/4/23

Iowa City Police say a transient could spend up to over three decades in prison after he allegedly broke into an apartment to continue an attack against a female victim.

According to arrest records, on September 25th of last year, 32-year-old Tahmir Allen was at a woman’s apartment on the 600 block of South Dubuque Street…where he’d occasionally been staying…when he punched her multiple times following an argument about her father. The woman was able to escape to a neighbor’s apartment, where she called 9-1-1. Police say Allen forced his way into that apartment and continued the attack, including choking the woman and trying to drag her back out of the residence. The alleged victim says she was able to fight Allen off, return to the apartment, and lock the door. She suffered numerous injuries.
During the incident, Allen allegedly threatened to kill the woman’s father.

Officers located Allen two hours later when he returned to retrieve his car from a nearby parking garage. Police say a chase ensued on the 200 block of East Prentiss Street, and Allen was able to escape.

Allen, who has a lengthy criminal history and is currently on probation, was booked into the Johnson County Jail just after 12:15 Saturday morning and charged with 1st Degree Burglary, Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Airflow, and Driving While Barred. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 32 years in prison.