Iowa City man accused of Coralville thrift store robbery

CORALVILLE - An Iowa City man is accused of robbing a Coralville thrift store.

Coralville police criminal complaints say Paris A. Alexander, 44, went to the A to Z Thrift Store, 102 First Ave., at 6:02 p.m. Saturday. He asked the cashier to make change. When the cashier opened the register, Alexander grabbed $35 cash from inside, police said.

Alexander fled on foot, and the cashier pursued him, police said. Alexander indicated he had a gun and reached into his pants pocket.

An off-duty Coralville police officer witnessed the pursuit and told Alexander to stop, but he refused to do so, police said. Alexander eventually was taken into custody by uniformed officers.

Alexander was arrested. He faces charges of second-degree robbery, third-degree theft and interference with official acts. He remains in custody at the Johnson County Jail.

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