Iowa City man arrested after Kum & Go robbery

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City man has been arrested in connection with a convenience store robbery.

According to Iowa City police, officers were notified of a robbery at Kum & Go, 323 E. Burlington St., at 1:02 a.m. July 3. Police said Cedric D. Johnson, 22, entered the convenience store and stood next to a man who was making a purchase at the cash register.

Police said when the man's change was dispensed and the cashier was handing him the cash, Johnson grabbed the coins and cash. Johnson hit the man in the chest, took the item he purchased and fled the store.

The incident was captured on video, police said.

Johnson was arrested and faces one count of second-degree robbery, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Johnson is awaiting trial on another robbery from earlier this year. He was arrested in July for an incident police said occurred on May 21. Authorities said around 3 a.m. on May 21, Johnson was at Falbo Bros. Pizzeria, 457 S. Gilbert St., and tried to steal cash from a man paying for food.

Police said the man and Johnson struggled over the cash and the man was knocked out by Johnson or one of the people with him. Johnson was later arrested when he returned to Falbos Bros., at a later date, and was recognized after asking to fill out a job application. Police said Johnson admitted being in a fight, but denied taking any money.

Johnson faces one count of second-degree robbery for that incident. Court records show he posted a $25,000 surety bond on July 24 and was released from custody.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com