Lang
10/4/20
Iowa City Police have arrested a man wanted for allegedly threatening to blow up the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
27-year-old John Rankins of Village Road was booked into the Johnson County Jail at 1am Sunday. He was arrested outside Panchero’s on South Clinton Street just before 12:30am after allegedly trying to engage others in a fight. Police say several witnesses heard Rankins threaten to kill a man who had been trying to separate him from the others he was trying to fight.
Rankins was arrested for 1st Degree Harassment and Disorderly Conduct. He was also wanted for two previous incidents last Wednesday.
Rankins was being seen at the psychiatric unit at the UIHC around 10am that day when he walked away. He allegedly threatened UIHC staffers, charged violently at them and took a swing at one. He also allegedly threatened to “blow the place up”.
Just after 1:15 that afternoon Rankins was reported to be intoxicated and stumbling on the property of Carousel Motors on Highway 1 West. Rankins allegedly threatened to break a window at the business. Rankins then allegedly assaulted the woman with him, grabbing her around the neck before throwing her to the ground. She reported pain around her neck.
Rankins is additionally charged with Threat of Terrorism, Assault and Assault Causing Bodily Injury. If convicted on all recent charges, he faces a maximum of over eight years in prison.