Hunter
09/13/24
An area transient has been arrested after allegedly stealing a car and leaving the scene of an accident.
Police say the afternoon of September 4th, Iowa City police were called to the Kum & Go location on South Gilbert Street for an alleged vehicle theft. Prior to that, officers were called to the area of Governor and Ronalds Streets for a vehicle collision where a man took off on foot , making no attempts to stop or to speak with anyone involved. The vehicle involved was the pending vehicle theft incident.
At the Kum & Go, video showed the same man, identified as 30-year-old Austin Christiansen, walking through the parking lot before he entered the car and took off on Highland Avenue. Video of the theft was circulated among officers, who identified Christiansen. Body camera footage from the day before allegedly showed officers interacting with Christiansen the day before, wearing the same exact clothing.
A warrant was issued September 9th; he was arrested Wednesday and charged with 1st degree Theft and Leaving the Scene of an Accident. He could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison if convicted.