Coralville robbery suspect, getaway driver arrested

CORALVILLE - A robbery suspect and his getaway driver were arrested early Thursday morning.

According to Coralville police criminal complaints, just around midnight on Thursday, 42-year-old Darnell J. Washington entered the Kum & Go at 205 Second St. Police said Washington pulled a pocket knife on the cashier and demanded all of the Newport cigarettes.

The cashier gave Washington the cigarettes and Washington left the store after telling the clerk not to say anything, according to police.

Police said Washington fled from the scene in a 1998 Mercury Sable driven by 52-year-old John F. Townsend.

Both men were arrested and face charges of second-degree robbery, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Washington - who police said drove the Mercury Sable to Kum & Go - faces additional charges of assault while displaying a weapon and driving while barred, both aggravated misdemeanors.