Arrests made in separate Cedar Rapids robberies

CEDAR RAPIDS - Charges have been filed in a pair of robbery investigations.

According to Linn County Attorney's Office criminal complaints, 18-year-old Elijah D. Kane has been charged with first-degree robbery in a Feb. 3 incident in the 200 block of 15th Street SE. Additionally, 21-year-old Jacoby A. Pledge has been charged with first-degree robbery for an incident that occurred in the 1700 block of Park Avenue SE. Cedar Rapids police said 19-year-old Ryan Fitzgerald was also arrested in connection with the Park Avenue incident; however, he only faces charges of third-degree theft, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a prescription drug.

According to the complaint against Kane, he was identified as the suspect who tried to rob a cabdriver at gunpoint. Authorities said Kane pointed a gun at the can driver and used the weapon to break out a window of a cab. He was arrested after a foot chase and was intoxicated, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint against Pledge states that he stole items from three people. When they demanded their property back, Pledge allegedly pointed a 9 mm handgun at them and threatened to shoot them.

First-degree robbery is a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.