Transient faces robbery charge in Iowa City

A homeless man is accused of trying to steal cash from another man at the Old Capitol Town Center.

Iowa City police were called to the Old Capitol Town Center at 10:52 a.m. Thursday for a report of two men fighting. Responding officers made contact with the two men, as well as several witnesses.

Police said witnesses saw 19-year-old Chad A. Sharkey, a transient, was seen approaching a man sitting at a table in the food court. The man had some cash on the table, police said.

Sharkey allegedly grabbed the cash and ran through the mall before the other man caught up with him outside the mall entrance. Police said the victim tried to tackle Sharkey and get his cash back, but Sharkey was able to get on top of the victim and punch him repeatedly in the face. The scuffle was caught on surveillance video.

The victim suffered an abrasion to his forehead during the fight, police said.

Sharkey was arrested and faces one count of second-degree robbery, a Class C felony; and one count of trespass, a simple misdemeanor.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@sourcemedia.net