Cedar Rapids woman accused of robbing Iowa City grocery store by using a Taser

Lang
3/16/24

A Cedar Rapids woman is accused of robbing an Iowa City grocery store by using a Taser.

The alleged incident occurred on May 3rd of last year. According to arrest records, 29-year-old Jasmine Cherry of 15th Avenue SW was observed by staff at the Westwinds Drive Fareway  placing three pounds of ground beef inside her bag. She then reportedly grabbed a bottle of 1800 tequila from the alcohol aisle and placed that in her bag. The total value of the two items was $47.99.

A Fareway manager tried to stop Cherry as she reportedly attempted to leave the store without paying. She allegedly responded by pulling out a Taser and sparking it up in the manager’s direction. Cherry then walked out of the store.

Fareway employees later found Cherry’s Facebook page, where she had posted a video of her holding the bottle of tequila.

Cherry is now charged with 1st Degree Robbery and 5th Degree Theft. If convicted on both charges, she faces a maximum of over 25 years in prison.

Cherry was given a two-year suspended sentence in 2020 after her involvement in a Thanksgiving Day brawl on Lakeside Drive that culminated with her reportedly assaulting her host and throwing a brick through a window. She was given community service that same year after she refused to return $754 in materials to the Iowa City Public Library.