Hunter
07/23/23
An Iowa City man was arrested Friday morning after allegedly assaulting an officer who confronted him about a theft from a convenience store.
According to the arrest report, 30- year-old Benjamin Sieverding of the Town and Campus Apartments on Arthur Street entered the Kum & Go on Muscatine Avenue, despite having been trespassed from the store back on June 8th. He reportedly picked up a piece of Strawberry Shortcake and was confronted by an employee about being in the store. Sieverding then allegedly walked out of the store with the item, failing to pay for it.
An officer confronted Sieverding at his apartment later and attempted to talk to him about the incident at Kum & Go, but he walked out the back door of his apartment. After walking around the complex, the officer found him and told him he was under arrest. Sieverding then reportedly raised his fists and took a swing at the officer. He continued to resist arrest until the officer tased him to gain compliance.
Sieverding was charged with Trespass, 3rd degree Theft, Interference with Official Acts, and Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to up to over three years in jail.