Man tied up, robbed woman in NW Cedar Rapids, police say

CEDAR RAPIDS — A woman told police she was robbed and imprisoned by a man she met on Facebook.

The woman called police shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday to report a robbery in northwest Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said.

The woman — who is not identified — told police she met Christopher F. Bullins, 43, a few weeks ago She told police Bullins was at her home around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday when he pulled a gun and demanded cash. She said Bullins took her cellphone and other items, took her to the basement, handcuffed her and then tied her up in clothing.

The woman freed herself and called police with help from a person in the neighborhood, police said. Responding officers discovered the woman’s vehicle had been stolen.

Police issued a nationwide attempt to locate Bullins, and he was found shortly after 10 a.m. near Galesburg, Ill. He was taken into custody on several warrants from various states. A handgun was found in the vehicle, police said.

Bullins faces charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree theft, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, false imprisonment and obstruction of emergency communication.

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