Chicago woman accused of robbery with knife

IOWA CITY - A Chicago woman faces 25 years in prison for forcing another woman at knife point to give her cash.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, 19-year-old Darline M. Taylor - who police also list as a transient - showed up at the victim's Iowa City residence and asked for $300 for an apartment. Police said Taylor became aggressive with the victim and took her cellphone.

The victim tried to get her phone back, but Taylor allegedly pushed her away. Taylor told the victim that she wasn't leaving until she got the money, police said.

Police said Taylor eventually got a knife from the kitchen and threatened to kill the victim. Taylor followed the other woman around her house, police said.

Eventually, the two drove to a bank and the victim told a bank employee what was going on, police said. Responding officers recovered a knife in Taylor's bag in the car and Taylor admitted that she had a knife behind her back and had threatened to beat up the victim.

Police said Taylor initially gave officers a bogus name and birth date because she had an old warrant out for her arrest. Her real identity was eventually determined.

Taylor was arrested and faces charges of first-degree robbery, a Class B felony, and obstructing officers, a simple misdemeanor. The felony carries a sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

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