Iowa City woman charged for driving getaway vehicle in Fareway robbery

An Iowa City woman has been arrested in connection to driving a getaway vehicle after two men robbed a grocery store earlier this month.

According to criminal complaints, two men entered the Fareway grocery store, 2765 Commerce Dr., at 3:16 p.m. on Dec. 10. One of the men made a purchase while the other stole a gift pack of liquor and left the store.

Police said store employees, including the manager, chased after the subject. The shoplifter then pulled out a knife and threatened the store manager that he would cut him. Employees followed the man to the intersection of Highway 6 and Scott Boulevard where the shoplifter got into a car parked on the shoulder of the road with hazard lights on and another man standing outside of it.

Police said Fareway employees followed the car to 2446 Lakeside Dr. where they observed two men and one woman exit the car. Police identified the woman as Sheena J. Johnson, 27, of 2446 Lakeside Dr., No. 3.

Johnson was arrested Monday night after she was observed operating the vehicle used in the getaway. She allegedly admitted to police she was the driver of the vehicle.

After police transported Johnson to jail, they found a bag containing 10 small bags of marijuana on the floor of the squad car. After police reviewed the squad car's internal camera, they saw Johnson reaching into the back of her waistline and removing the bag.

Johnson was charged with aiding and abetting first-degree robbery, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and Iowa Drug Tax Stamp violation. She is being held in Johnson County jail on a $65,000 cash only bond.

Police said they do not know the identity of the other suspects involved in the robbery and the investigation is ongoing.