Iowa City police seek second suspect in reported armed robbery

Iowa City police Thursday are continuing to look for one of two men accused of entering a Linn Street apartment Wednesday afternoon and demanding money at gunpoint.

Officers arrested one of the suspects who they believe were involved. Nicholas Crews Garner, 19, of North Liberty, faces charges of going armed with intent, assault while participating in a felony, first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery, all felonies.

He was being held Thursday morning in the Johnson County Jail in lieu of a $120,000 bond.

Iowa City police responded at 4:11 p.m. Wednesday to a report of a robbery at an apartment at 221 N. Linn St., according to a criminal complaint. Upon arrival, they learned that two men entered the unit without permission, and an unknown suspect showed a handgun while both he and Garner allegedly demanded money and asked where other belongings were located, according to the complaint.

One of the victims confronted Garner, who was wearing a mask, and an altercation ensued, according to the police. The unknown suspect eventually joined in, police reported, and he's accused of hitting the victim several times on the head with a pistol.

The victim suffered a laceration to his head and hand, according to police. During the fight, the victim told officers that he managed to pull off Garner's mask. The victim recognized Garner as someone he knows, and he identified him by name to authorities, according to a complaint.

Garner and the other suspect are accused of stealing a backpack, shoes, cell phones and wallets, according to police. They fled the area with an undisclosed amount of money, police reported.

Garner was caught later in the evening and booked into the Johnson County Jail about 11 p.m., according to online records. His co-defendant remains at large.

Garner's criminal history in Iowa includes convictions for a felony drug violation and a drunken driving charge last year. He was arrested last week on suspicion of driving with a revoked license.

He also has numerous juvenile charges, including theft, unauthorized use of a credit card, and drug and alcohol charges.

Anyone with information about the robbery, including the whereabouts of the handgun and the possible identity of the second suspect, can call the Iowa City Area Crime Stoppers at 319-358-8477. All callers are guaranteed anonymity, and may receive a reward.[mqMap key="PAoJ" width="680" height="420" src="http://www.mapquest.com/embed?icid=mqdist_mb_wp&c=PAoJ&maptype=map&zm=14&cr=41.66431999999999,-91.53159000000001&projection=sm&showScale=false"]My New Map[/mqMap]