Hunter
07/27/20
Cedar Rapids police have taken a 16-year-old juvenile and an 18-year-old man into custody for their suspected roles in several incidents over the weekend.
The first incident, Saturday at 1:30am, involved the alleged theft of a Ford Fusion from the parking lot at Leo’s Liquor on First Avenue Northeast. The victim reported that he went into the store, came back to the parking lot and found the vehicle gone.
Just after 11am Saturday, officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 700 block of 2nd Avenue Southwest. Several shell casings were located, and witnesses described the vehicle involved as a silver Ford Fusion.
At 11:13am, additional shots fired calls were reported in the 800 block of D Avenue Northwest and the 1500 block of 10th Street Northwest. No injuries were reported, but a residence was struck by gunfire in both locations. Officers determined that a silver Ford Fusion was involved in those incidents as well.
About a half hour later, at 11:45am, officers responded to a theft in progress call at Fleet Farm on Cross Pointe Boulevard Northeast. Several males wearing masks entered the store and stole handgun ammunition before fleeing in a silver 4-door vehicle that surveillance video confirmed was the same Fusion involved in the shots fired incidents. Police were able to identify several of the suspects and put out an attempt to locate bulletin for the suspects and the vehicle.
An officer located the vehicle that afternoon at 2:42 in an alley in the 1500 block between 5th and 6th Streets. Multiple suspects fled from the vehicle, and the officer was able to apprehend an armed 16-year-old male. Due to state juvenile confidentiality laws, he has not been identified, but has been charged with Interference with Official Acts, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and 5th Degree Theft.
Assisting officers with a K9 located a second suspect hiding on a porch. He’s been identified as 18-year-old Alexander Jessop. He was charged with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Reckless Use of a Firearm, Going Armed with Intent, 5th Degree Theft and Interference with Official Acts. Jessop allegedly had the stolen handgun ammunition from Fleet Farm on him when he was arrested.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are likely.