Lang
1/18/24
Iowa City Police have arrested a transient who allegedly assaulted a custodian who woke him up by vacuuming too loudly.
According to arrest reports, the custodian was vacuuming at the Robert A. Lee Community Rec Center on South Gilbert Street just after 7:30 Wednesday morning when he was confronted by 72-year-old James Wear. Wear had been sleeping nearby. Wear allegedly walked up the alleged victim and tried to grab the vacuum away. When he was unsuccessful, Wear allegedly threw the portion of the vacuum that was in his grip back at the custodian. The custodian walked away, and Wear reportedly threw the vacuum down some stairs. The device was damaged beyond repair and will cost an estimated $600 to replace.
Wear allegedly told responding officers that he had been trying to sleep, and that the custodian had been vacuuming a clean rug just to keep him from doing so.
Wear is charged with Assault and 4th Degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on both charges, he faces a maximum of 13 months in jail.