Iowa City man faces robbery charge after threatening to shoot bank employee

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City man faces robbery and other charges after threatening a bank employee and alluding to having a gun, police said.

John P. St. John, 22, went to the Hills Bank branch at 201 S. Clinton St. at 10:34 a.m. Thursday, according to Iowa City police criminal complaints. He knocked on the door, and a bank employee inside told him the branch was closed.

Police said St. John demanded his money. When she again told him the branch was closed, St. John demanded money 'or I'll (expletive) shoot you,” according to police. As he made the threat, St. John reached into his pocket.

Police said St. John pulled his hand out, made a gun gesture and said, 'bang” to the bank employee. She told police she thought he was reaching for a real gun.

While under arrest and sitting in a squad car, St. John threatened to kill the arresting officer, police said.

St. John was given a trespass warning for the bank March 13, police said.

He faces charges of second-degree robbery, two counts of first-degree harassment and one count of trespass.

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