Iowa City man found with meth lab, drugs in backpack

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City man faces numerous charges after a meth lab and drugs were found in his backpack.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, around 3 a.m. May 6, an officer responded to the area of Sheridan Avenue and Maggard Street for a report of a subject looking into vehicles. The responding officer arrived on scene and found 32-year-old Nicholas W. Rotter, who matched the description of the suspect.

Police said the officer approached Rotter, who attempted to hop on a bicycle, but was unsuccessful. He then fled on foot. The officer chased Rotter, who then attempted to attack his pursuer. The two men struggled until a second officer arrived on the scene and helped take Rotter into custody. One officer suffered a cut on his hand and another suffered an abrasion on his forehead during the scrum.

Police said Rotter had an active one pot style meth lab in his backpack containing less than five grams of meth. In addition to the lab, three grams of meth, officers found eight syringes containing a pink liquid, 2.1 grams of marijuana and a wooden dugout containing a pipe and marijuana residue.

Rotter was arrested and faces charges of manufacturing meth within 1000 feet of a public school, two counts of possession of a controlled substance - third or subsequent offense, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with a motor vehicle, fourth-degree theft, interference with official acts causing bodily injury and assault on persons in certain occupations.