Hunter
12/19/24
An Iowa City man was arrested after allegedly stealing an e-bike last week.
Police say 36-year-old Jacob Perez of the Iowa River Mobile Home Community on South Riverside Drive was seen riding an e-bike to the Riverfront Crossings apartment complex on South Gilbert Street the afternoon of December 10th. When property management questioned Perez about the bike, he allegedly said he didn’t care what they did with the e-bike, and rode away on another e-bike.
Police ran the serial number on the bike Perez left behind and discovered it had been reported stolen out of the Coralville police department. In a phone interview, Perez reportedly claimed that the e-bike belonged to his friend, but he only knew the friend’s first name.
The e-bike was valued at $1200.
A warrant was issued Monday; Perez was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with 3rd degree Theft, an aggravated misdemeanor. On Wednesday, he was released on his own recognizance pending arraignment. If convicted on the charge, Perez could be sentenced to up to two years in jail.