Iowa City man charged with assault, Hope House escape

An Iowa City man was arrested on assault and escape charges after a short foot chase Thursday afternoon.

Robert A. Wofford Jr., 26, of 2542 Bartelt Rd., Apt. 2A, is charged with three counts of domestic abuse, third or subsequent; interference with official acts; obstruction of emergency communications and absence from custody.

Wofford was serving probation at Hope House, a Coralville halfway house, when he failed to return from work on May 3, Hope House staff reported.

On July 28, Wofford was charged with domestic abuse after Iowa City Police responded to a fight at 2401 Bartelt Rd. A woman reported she had dropped her child off with Wofford, the child's father, when Wofford struck the woman on the right side of her face, causing pain.

Wofford had already fled the scene when police arrived, so Iowa City police issued a warrant for his arrest.

On Monday, Wofford resurfaced again. Police filed another domestic abuse charge based on allegations he struck a woman on the face, right arm and left breast, causing pain and bruising.

Coralville Police were called to 1311 Southview Circle at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday on the report of a domestic dispute. Prior to officers' arrival, Wofford ran out the back door of the residence and fled on foot. He was arrested a short time later, police reported.

Samantha F. Bevans, 23, of 1311 Southview Circle, was charged with being an accessory after the fact for letting Wofford stay at her house. "The defendant has previously harbored Hope House escapees," the charges against Bevans state.

Wofford is being held on $12,000 cash bond and $20,000 cash or surety.