Iowa City woman arrested in connection with 2016 brawl

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City woman faces charges for her role in a large fight that took place last year.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, officers were called to the 3500 block of Shamrock Place around 2:09 p.m. Jan. 15, 2016, for a report of a large fight involving people carrying baseball bats. Police said when they arrived on the scene, they found shattered glass, a baseball bat, a broken shovel and a Big Wheel, all of which had been used in the brawl. A woman also reported being stabbed.

Police determined that during the melee, 22-year-old Benevia Armstrong's mother - who is not named in the criminal complaint - had been in a fight with a man. Armstrong allegedly used a baseball bat to damage the man's 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Police said Armstrong and her mother shattered the windshield, windows and side mirrors, causing approximately $1,100 in damage to the vehicle.

Armstrong was arrested this week and faces charges of second-degree criminal mischief, a felony, and participating in a riot, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Armstrong's brother, Mack Hartison, previously was arrested in connection with the scrum and was charged with one count of participating in a riot. Court records show Hartison pleaded guilty to that charge and was fined, given community service and credited 50 days for the time he served in jail.

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