Hunter
04/26/24
An Iowa City man was arrested for his alleged involvement in a gas leak at a downtown area under construction.
According to the arrest report, officers were called to the 10 block of South Dubuque Street just after 2:30 am on March 29th on reports of a gas leak. The area is closed off by fencing while the Dubuque Street Reconstruction Project continues. Officers located a yellow gas line in the ground, apparently snapped in half by the bucket of an excavator.
A review of surveillance recordings show three men banging on the fencing and entering the cordoned-off area at approximately 2:15am. 20-year-old Christopher Best of East Burlington Street was allegedly seen climbing on the excavator. The machine was started up and began moving, followed moments later by the sound of the gas line popping. Best and the two suspects were then seen fleeing the site.
The three were reportedly tracked on surveillance recordings to the 700 block of East Burlington Street, where Best was identified as the suspect who operated the excavator and broke the gas line. He allegedly admitted to the incident, saying he panicked and fled after hearing the line break.
Best reportedly identified the two other suspects, who corroborated his story.
Estimated cost to repair the gas line is up to $3500.
Best was charged with Operating a Vehicle without Owner Consent, and Trespass causing Damage. He faces a jail sentence of up to three years if convicted on both counts.