Marengo man arrested in Craigslist robbery

IOWA CITY - A Marengo man is accused of robbing someone during a Craigslist transaction.

According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint, 23-year-old Dylan M. Phillips and the victim met in Iowa City on Feb. 8 in response to a Craigslist ad. Police said during that meeting, Phillips pulled a gun on the victim and tried to walk away with the item for sale.

Police said a fight broke out between Phillips and the victim, during which Phillips allegedly hit the other man in the head with the gun.

During their investigation, police used a cellphone number used to send text messages to the victim to narrow their focus to an apartment Phillips was staying in with his brother. Additionally, an ambulance call five days earlier proved Phillips was staying at that apartment, police said.

Authorities also learned the cellphone was owned by Phillips' father.

Phillips was arrested this week and faces one count of first-degree robbery, a Class B felony. During a Thursday preliminary hearing, Judge Deb Minot set Phillips' cash only bond at $50,000. If convicted, he faces up to 17 years in prison before being eligible for parole, Minot said.

Minot also issued a no contact order for the victim in the robbery.