Second suspect arrested in Iowa City bar robbery

IOWA CITY - The second suspect has been arrested in an August robbery at a downtown bar.

Stephen A. Sterner, 26, of Muscatine has been arrested and charged with second-degree robbery in connection with an incident alleged to have occurred Aug. 28. Police said in late November that Sterner was wanted in connection with the crime.

According to criminal complaints, an officer was called to Mercy Iowa City just before midnight on Aug. 28 for a report of an assault. The victim - who police said had injuries to his face - told the officer he was drinking with three men at Gabe's Bar earlier in the evening. The man said he was later jumped by two of the men and knocked to the ground.

The suspects - the victim was able to describe them to police - took cash and a Samsung Galaxy 3 smartphone from the victim, police said.

Through the victim's descriptions and surveillance video taken from the bar, police were able to identify the attackers as Sterner and 23-year-old Christopher M.R. Johnson, also of Muscatine. Johnson was arrested in November and also charged with second-degree robbery. Police said at the time that a warrant had been obtained for Sterner's arrest.

Second-degree robbery is a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.