Credit card fraud suspect tries to escape at Iowa City police station

A man arrested for credit card fraud made a break for it after he asked to be removed from handcuffs so he could use the restroom.

Monday afternoon, Jimmy Little, 51, of Chicago, was brought into the police station on unauthorized credit card use charges. Police say Little asked to use the restroom, but as soon as the cuffs were removed he took off down the hallway, toward the back of the police station.

Officers tackled him before he could get away. Records indicate that an officer suffered injuries during the chase and tackle. Information on the extent of the officer's injuries wasn't immediately available.

Police initially arrested Little and his sister, Bessie Smith, 54, of Iowa City, for credit card fraud. The pair allegedly tried to buy alcohol with the stolen card Monday afternoon at a liquor store at 315 S. Gilbert St. They were unsuccessful when store employees recognized the card from a fraudulent transaction the day before.

Smith and Little allegedly charged $487 of merchandise to the unauthorized card, including two computers and alcohol.

Little is being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $4,000 cash-only bond.

-- Katie Stinson, reporter