Hunter
04/14/20
A Chicago man is in custody after an alleged argument with his female partner turned ugly.
According to police, 29-year-old Arthur Sparks and the woman were staying at the Bay Inn & Suites on 6th Street in Coralville Monday at approximately 7pm when they got into a verbal argument that turned physical. Sparks reportedly hit the woman in the eye, and she left the building.
Police say Sparks grabbed the woman’s car keys without permission and drove after the woman. He’s accused of assaulting her a second time by putting both his hands around her neck from behind and squeezing.
Sparks allegedly hit another vehicle while driving, and witnesses, including an off-duty officer, called him in as a reckless driver and saw him hit another vehicle. He was stopped and performed poorly on field testing, failing a preliminary breath test. A subsequent Datamaster showed a blood alcohol level of .130, and Sparks was taken into custody.
Under Miranda questioning, Sparks reportedly said that he was trying to get his “baby mama” to stop.
Sparks faces charges of operating a vehicle without owners consent, 2nd offense domestic abuse assault, domestic abuse assault impeding airflow, and operating a vehicle while under the influence. If convicted on all counts, Sparks could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison.
A no-contact order was requested between Sparks and the woman.
