Transient arrested after hammer threats

IOWA CITY - A homeless man is accused of threatening people with a hammer.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, on Tuesday morning, 47-year-old Scott A. Morrissey got into an argument with staff at The Can Shed, a local recycling center. Police said the argument escalated and Morrissey threatened to hit a staff member 'upside the head with a hammer” and told them he would 'put you in the hospital.”

Police said Morrissey then got a hammer out of his cart and continued to make threats, police said. When police encountered Morrissey after the incident, he admitted to holding a hammer during the altercation. The hammer was found with Morrissey's belongings, police said.

Police said Morrissey was placed under arrest and became combative. He attempted to kick an officer in the chest and tried to kick at officers after he was placed in a squad car, police said.

Morrissey faces charges of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison; and interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor.