Iowa City man accused of robbing homeless man

UPDATE: A 22-year-old Iowa City man was arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery and prohibited acts of prescription drugs early Sunday after Iowa City police say he took a homeless man's possessions after offering to give him a place to stay for the night.

Officers were dispatched to 1102 East College St. at 3:02 a.m. Sunday after receiving a call that a third party had heard a man yelling “are you trying to rob me?” in the hallway. At the location, Austin C. Guthmiller, of 3525 Shamrock Place, was located in the hallway with a homeless man, Iowa City Police Sgt. Denise Brotherton said.

Reports indicate that Iowa City police first thought that there was a fight in progress, but were told by the homeless man that he was robbed. The man told officers that he and Guthmiller had met in the Ped Mall in downtown Iowa City. Guthmiller allegedly offered him a place to sleep for the night for a small fee, and the man followed him to the apartment complex. However, Guthmiller did not live at the location, Iowa City Police said.

Once arriving at the apartment complex, which Guthmiller later claimed to be the residence of one of his friends, the homeless man stated that Guthmiller started to punch him in the face, kicked him in the leg and took his possessions including cash and prescription medication from his pockets.

“Guthmiller would not tell the officers which apartment his friend supposedly lived in,” Brotherton said. “It was not apparent whether or not he was telling the truth.”

Records indicate that the homeless man's cash, prescription medication and other items were found on Guthmiller when officers executed a search. Officers noted that Guthmiller had bloodshot watery eyes, smelled of alcohol, slow and deliberate movement, slurred speech and had allegedly admitted to drinking.

Guthmiller was being held at the Johnson County Jail Monday morning on a $26,000 cash or surety bond.