Two arrested after Cedar Rapids home invasion

Two men were arrested in connection with a home invasion late Thursday in Cedar Rapids.

Lazarick M. Pearce, 30, and Darryl E. Jackson, 42, both of Cedar Rapids, were arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary after the incident at 110 16th St. NE, No. 6.

Police responded shortly after 9 p.m. to a reported burglary in progress. Mike Butler, 44, told police two men knocked on his door and asked for two people he didn't know. The men left, but returned a short time later. Butler told police he opened the door again, assuming it was a neighbor, but the same two men pushed their way inside.

Butler told police he was struck in the face and the men took his cell phone, two packs of cigarettes and change. He declined medical treatment for his injuries.

Police located Pearce and Jackson across the street in the Hy-Vee parking lot. Pearce had Butler's cell phone and two packs of cigarettes in his possession, according to Sgt. Denni Randall.

Pearce and Jackson were taken to the Linn County Jail. In addition to the burglary charge, Pearce was cited for possession of drugs and paraphernalia, and Jackson was cited for public intoxication.