Storm Lake man accused of kidnapping wife faces more charges

IOWA CITY — A Storm Lake man, already charged with kidnapping his wife Monday following a standoff with police in an Iowa City parking garage, now faces additional charges for attempting to steal another woman’s car during the incident.

According to a criminal complaint, police received a call about 2 p.m. by another person who the wife had texted, saying she was in danger because her husband, Carldale Hunter, 33, had a gun.

Hunter had taken his wife from Cedar Rapids Sunday and forced her to go with him to the Trailways Bus Station, 170 E. Court St., on Monday, where he planned to make her take a bus with him to Chicago.

As soon as police arrived, Hunter pulled out a gun and grabbed his hostage, holding her in front of him like a shield and pressing the gun to the back of her head. He told officers he would kill her if they didn’t back off, and then fled with her into the Court Street Parking Ramp, the complaint stated.

During his escape, another woman was stopped on the second floor of the parking ramp in her black Hyundai Santa Fe when she encountered Hunter and his wife running up the ramp toward her SUV, according to the complaint. The driver attempted to lock her door, but Hunter was able to open it before it locked and told her to get out of the vehicle. She refused twice, even after Hunter told her he was armed.

Hunter then pointed a small handgun at the driver’s face and told her again to get out, the complaint stated. She refused and was able to get her car door shut and locked. Hunter told her he “needed” the car.

An officer pursuing Hunter could hear him yelling and saw him attempting to force the driver out of her vehicle, according to the complaint.

Police continued to follow Hunter and his wife through multiple levels of the parking garage until officers were able to corner Hunter. Officers attempted to negotiate with Hunter while he was holding his wife and threatened to kill her multiple times. Eventually, he released the hostage and shot himself.

Hunter survived the gunshot injury and was taken to a hospital and then released to police.

Hunter’s three children — an infant, a 7-year-old and an 8-year-old — were present in the lobby of the bus stop during the incident, police said.

Hunter faces new charges of first-degree robbery, going armed with intent and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. He was previously charged with second-degree kidnapping, going armed with intent, control of a firearm and domestic abuse while displaying a weapon and child endangerment, both misdemeanors.

Hunter remains in the Johnson County Jail on a $200,000 bail. A no-contact order was filed on behalf of his wife and the three children and the other woman.

During this incident a perimeter was established around the parking garage, staff were evacuated and nearby community members were told to shelter in place. The University of Iowa sent out a Hawk Alert warning students to avoid the area.

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