Cedar Rapids man accused of robbing cabdriver

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man is accused of sticking up a cabbie on Christmas.

According to the Linn County Attorney's Office, on Dec. 25, 2016, 30-year-old Earnest R. Murry had a cabdriver take him to 4115 22nd Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids. Police said Murry then pulled a gun on the driver and robbed him of roughly $130.

Authorities said the cabdriver picked Murry's photo out of a lineup and the phone number that was used to call the cab was traced back to Murry.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, a warrant for Murry's arrest was issued on Jan. 31 and the U.S. Marshals Service Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force was tasked with tracking him down. The marshals worked with Cedar Rapids police to find Murry in a residence in the 4800 block of First Avenue SW. Authorities saw Murry leaving the residence Monday afternoon and - with help from the Iowa State Patrol, Linn County Sheriff's Office and Cedar Rapids police - the marshals stopped a vehicle Murry was in on Highway 30.

Murry was taken into custody without incident and has been charged with one count of first-degree robbery, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com