Police: Cedar Rapids man stabbed barbershop employee, robbed shop

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man is charged with attempted murder and first-degree robbery after police say he stabbed a barbershop employee in the back with a knife.

According to a criminal complaint, Jameel Keithwana Evelyn, 23, went into the Prestige Cuts at 408 Edgewood Rd. NW, Suite C, in Cedar Rapids and spoke with Aime Kakpo, who agreed to sell him some products valued at $95 for $90.

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While Kakpo was ringing up the items, Evelyn asked to used the bathroom. When he came out, he started stabbing Kakpo in the back with a knife, according to the complaint, which he later told police he had been hiding in his sock.

Kakpo fled from the barbershop and yelled for help, while Evelyn continued to pursue him and attempted to stab him. He eventually stopped chasing Kakpo and returned to the shop, where he stole two cellphones belonging to Kakpo and cash from the drawer, the complaint states.

Police were called to the scene about 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to a press release. They found Evelyn in the area near the business and he admitted in an interview that he intended to take Kakpo’s life, according to the complaint.

Evelyn had his first appearance in court Tuesday and was being held on a $100,000 cash-only bail. He also has a $5,000 cash or surety bond related to a charge of second-degree criminal mischief that also was filed against him Monday.

According to a criminal complaint for that charge, he was caught on camera throwing a cylinder block Sunday at a vehicle in the Cassill Motors lot at 2939 16th Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids. The vehicle was damaged with an estimated value of $2,500.

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