Coralville man arrested after drunken fire station break-in

NORTH LIBERTY - A Coralville man is accused of breaking into the North Liberty Fire Department while drunk and damaging equipment inside.

Officers were called to the fire station, 25 W. Cherry St., around 12:13 a.m. Jan. 3 for a report of a man trying to break in, according to North Liberty police criminal complaints. Police said Robert J. Mlejnek, 30, broke through a window and entered the building.

Mlejnek was found inside and appeared to be drunk, police said. Officers said Mlejnek did $5,000 worth of damage to fire department equipment inside the station.

Mlejnek admitted to being kicked out of a local bar and having 'a lot to drink,” according to criminal complaints.

After being taken into custody, Mlejnek started kicking at the arresting officers and was uncooperative with police, fire and ambulance officials. He was hospitalized after the incident.

Mlejnek was arrested and faces charges of second-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony; and public intoxication and interference with official acts, both simple misdemeanors.

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