Homeless man faces burglary, assault charges in Iowa City

IOWA CITY - A homeless man faces more than 30 years in prison for allegedly breaking into an Iowa City home and assaulting a man inside.

According to criminal complaints, Iowa City police officers were called to a residence on Benton Drive around 9 p.m. Saturday night for a fight in progress. Upon arrival, police found the alleged victim, who was bleeding profusely from his hands. The alleged assailant, 36-year-old Douglas L. Frazier, was nearby.

The victim and his girlfriend told police that Frazier kicked in the apartment door and entered the residence. The couple pushed Frazier out the apartment; however, he continued to punch the victim through the screen door, police said. The victim lost a tooth during the assault. Police said Frazier then re-entered the apartment and assaulted the man. The two men fought over a knife and the victim suffered severe cuts to his hands.

Frazier was arrested and faces charges of first-degree burglary, a Class B felony; assault causing serious injury, a Class D felony; and third-degree criminal mischief, an aggravated misdemeanor. A Class B felony is punishable by up to 25 years in prison, a Class D felony is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and an aggravated misdemeanor is punishable by up to two years in prison.