Police: Cedar Rapids man attempts robbery outside Kirkwood

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was arrested Monday on charges he attempted to rob a man at knifepoint in the parking lot of the Kirkwood Recreation Center.

Joshua Kakina, 19, is charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, going armed with intent, assault while displaying a weapon and use of a dangerous weapon in the commission of a crime.

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According to a criminal complaint, Kakina attempted to rob Colton Smith by jumping in Smith’s car and threatening him with a knife. Smith had been sitting in his car, waiting for it to warm up, outside the rec center at 65 Jones View Parkway SW.

Kakina demanded Smith give up his belongings, but Smith refused, and Kakina left the area in a different car, according to a news release from Cedar Rapids police.

The release states Smith had a minor injury on his hand when police arrived, just before 6 p.m. Monday, but does not say whether the injury was caused by Kakina.

Investigators found the vehicle that the suspect had left the area in, with Kakina inside. He was arrested at 11:25 p.m. Monday. He told officers he had been sitting in his car watching people until he saw someone he wanted to rob. He also admitted to entering Smith’s vehicle with a knife, pointing it at Smith’s chest and demanding Smith’s wallet, according to the complaint.

Video surveillance confirmed that Kakina got into Smith’s vehicle and left the scene in the car he later was found in. The weapon — a steak knife — was also found in his car, the complaint states.

Kirkwood Community College released a statement Tuesday stating Kakina is not a student there.

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