Coralville man arrested in connection with Ped Mall robbery in June

IOWA CITY - A Coralville man has been arrested in connection with a June robbery on the Pedestrian Mall.

Police said a man was walking down an alley by the Fieldhouse Bar, 118 S. Dubuque St., about 12:42 a.m. June 30 when a man in a group that passed him said something to him and grabbed him by the neck and shoulders.

One of the men threatened to 'jump him if he tried anything,” according to criminal complaints.

The men took $120 in cash from the man's pocket, threw him to the ground and stole his backpack containing a laptop, valued at $1,200, and prescription medication, police said.

Police said the man who was robbed recognized one of his assailants.

While police were investigating the attack, officers encountered a group of men at Gabe's, 330 E. Washington St. An officer took the victim there, and he pointed out Gregory M.T. Jackson, 30, as the attacker he recognized.

Jackson admitted he hit someone, before correcting himself to say he simply told that person to move, according to criminal complaints.

Jackson was arrested Aug. 28. He faces charges of second-degree robbery, a Class C felony; and second-degree theft, a Class D felony. If convicted of both offenses, he could spend up to 15 years in prison.

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