Arraignment set for man charged with Eastern Iowa Robberies

An arraignment for an Iowa City man who police said robbed several businesses throughout Eastern Iowa has been set for Jan. 28 at 9 a.m.

Jay M. Harkless, 23, - who remains in the Johnson County Jail on a $205,000 bond - was arrested after Rent-a-Center, 1214 S. Gilbert St., was robbed about 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 7.

During a search of Harkless' residence at 840 Maggard St. Apt. 10, officers found items they believed linked him to 10 bank and credit union robberies in Iowa City, North Liberty, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Muscatine. Harkless confessed to all 11 of the robberies, police said.

In Johnson County he faces four charges of second-degree robbery after police said he robbed the Rent-a-Center, West Bank, and Midwest One Bank in Iowa City and Midwest Bank in North Liberty.