Hunter
03/12/21
Throwing a full can of beer at an Iowa City police officer landed a local man in jail.
Thursday night around 8:30, a uniformed officer was walking to his squad car, parked near Gabe’s on East Washington Street. As he got to the driver’s side door, he observed 41-year-old Robert Ehl of Blazing Star Road in a nearby alley, crouching around the corner of the building and hiding.
Ehl is accused of throwing a full can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer at the officer as he attempted to get into the squad car, then ran away. The officer pursued Ehl, who ignored several commands to stop and ran through Gabe’s bar until he was caught.
Ehl reportedly smelled strongly of ingested alcohol, had slurred speech, and admitted to drinking beer. He denied throwing the can of PBR, however.
Ehl was taken into custody and charged with Public Intoxication, Interference with Official Acts, and Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to up to 14 months in jail.