Hunter
05/27/21
An area transient has been accused of following a woman and her grandmother into a secure downtown Iowa City apartment building.
Officers were dispatched to the 400 block of South Linn Street Sunday night around 10 for a subject following a woman and her grandmother. The woman attempted to go into the RISE secure apartment complex, but the man following them, identified as 35-year-old Jake Baker, continued in before the door closed.
The woman stated that she attempted to get away from Baker by going to a different floor from where her apartment was located, but he continued to follow her. She was eventually able to get into an elevator to get away from Baker.
When officers arrived, they found Baker helping himself to coffee in a common area for the residents. They were unable to enter the complex and had to have a resident open the door for them.
When Baker saw police, he allegedly fled to the 4th floor, where he was eventually apprehended.
The woman being followed reported being afraid and harassed by Baker’s actions, and said that she does not know him.
Baker was charged with 3rd degree Harassment, a simple misdemeanor. A no-contact order was requested.