Hunter
02/26/21
An Iowa City man has been identified as one of the people who allegedly assisted a landlord during an attack on a tenant.
Police say that 44-year-old Gilberto Mendez Ayala lives next door to his landlord, 68-year-old Suzanne Dashner, who is in a civil dispute with someone at the apartment below Ayala. On the evening of February 10th, she allegedly enlisted the help of Ayala and two other men to help her break into the victim’s apartment and kick them out.
Reportedly armed with baseball bats and a 2 by 2, the four broke into the apartment. The victim was allegedly hiding in the bedroom and on the phone with 911. Dashner and the men are accused of kicking in the bedroom door, threatening the victim, and Dashner allegedly hit the victim in the leg with a wooden bat.
A warrant for Dashner’s arrest was requested on Monday; she was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon and charged with 1st degree Burglary and Assault while participating in a Felony. She could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison if convicted on both charges.
Ayala was arrested Thursday morning and charged with 1st degree Burglary. He could face up to 25 years in prison for his role in the incident.
