Police make another arrest in robbery they say could be tied to homicide of bail bondsman

IOWA CITY - Police have an arrested an alleged accomplice to a robbery that is being investigated for possible ties to the death of Iowa City bail bondsman Jonathan Wieseler.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, Ashley D. Molina, 20, faces charges of first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery. Police said Molina drove Christopher L. Bertling, 20, and Joseph M. Williams, 19, to 630 S. Capitol St. on April 23. The men are accused of then going into a unit at the building and assaulting a man inside while armed with knives.

After making off with the man's wallet and 'a significant amount of prescription medicine,” the men then fled the scene in Molina's vehicle, police said, adding Williams is Molina's boyfriend.

The robbery happened one block south from where the body of Wieseler was found the morning of April 23 at Lederman Bail Bonds, 518 S. Capitol St. Given the proximity of the incidents, police said they are investigating whether there is a connection between the two crimes, though police have stopped short of categorizing Bertling or Williams as suspects or people of interest in the case.

Police said Wieseler was shot to death and his death is being treated as a homicide.

Williams was also arrested in connection with a later robbery. Police said on April 26, William's confronted Bertling's girlfriend about money Bertling owed him for rent. After assaulting the woman and taking her phone, Williams forced the woman to go to the bank and take out cash from her checking account, police said.

Bertling and Williams face charges of first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary, both Class B felonies, for the April 23 incident. Williams faces additional charges of kidnapping, a Class B felony; second-degree robbery, a Class C felony; and third-degree theft, an aggravated misdemeanor, for the April 26 incident.

A Class B felony is punishable by up to 25 years in prison. A Class C felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

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