Coralville man faces robbery charge after purse snatching

IOWA CITY - A Coralville man faces a robbery charge after stealing a phone and purse from a woman he was banned from contacting.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, the victim returned to her residence shortly before 5 a.m. Monday and found 42-year-old Tawan L. Steel waiting outside.

Police said Steel approached the woman and claimed he wanted a hug. When she backed away and clutched her purse and phone against her body, Steel allegedly grabbed the woman and snatched the phone and purse from her.

Steel fled the scene, but was later found and arrested. He faces charges of second-degree robbery, a Class C felony; and violating a protective order. According to court records, the victim sought and obtained a protective order in October 2014.

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