Hunter
02/25/20
An Iowa City man who allegedly became enraged when told he couldn’t leave a medical facility has been charged with criminal mischief.
According to police, 25-year-old Amos Lavela of Burns Avenue was a patient in the emergency department of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics on the morning of January 31st when he was told that he couldn’t leave.
Lavela allegedly became enraged, clenched his fists, postured in an attack stance and slammed open an already open exam room door with such force that it broke the auto-closer from its mounts. He then reportedly slammed the door into a wall-mounted TV, breaking it beyond repair.
Officials estimated the cost to fix the door at $150 and replacement of the TV at $425.
A warrant was requested, and Lavela was arrested Monday evening. He’s charged with 4th degree Criminal Mischief, a serious misdemeanor punishable by a jail sentence of up to one year if convicted.