First Avenue Road Ranger to close early on weekends

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids convenience store will shut down on weekend mornings in response to violence among a mob of people in its parking lot last weekend.

The Road Ranger at 1430 First Ave. NE will close from 1:30 to 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings, starting this weekend. Steve Brooks, general counsel for the company, said store security would remain on the property while the store is closed.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said police will enforce loitering, especially while the store is closed. The new hours will be in place indefinitely, Brooks said.

"We listened to the community and police and determined this was the next step to help that situation," Brooks said.

Police said several fights broke out in the store parking lot around 2 a.m. when an estimated 200 people gathered there. Jermall Petties, 23, of Cedar Rapids, was slashed with a knife during the incident and suffered severe lacerations to both shoulders, according to court documents.

Morris Gray, 56, of Spokane, Wa., was arrested at the scene and has been charged with willful injury causing serious injury. Petties is recovering from his injuries.

Four other people were arrested at the scene for charges including disorderly conduct, interference with official acts and possession of marijuana.

Brooks said three security guards were at the store when the number of people started to grow. The situation escalated quickly, and security "did everything they could do," he said. Fourteen Cedar Rapids police squad cars arrived in the next few moments.

Surveillance video caught the fights on camera and it has been turned over to police as evidence, Brooks said. He declined to release the video, saying it could interfere with the investigation.

Police have not determined what led to the fights this past weekend. Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said the people who were arrested and other witnesses have not been willing to share details.

Almost four years ago, a man was murdered in the store parking lot. Nathan Williams, 39, was stabbed by Timothy Hines, 33, after the two argued over Hines' girlfriend. Williams died less than an hour later at St. Luke's Hospital.

Brooks said the complete closure of the store was not considered.

"We're happy to do it if it alleviates any of the problems in the community and in that neighborhood," Brooks said.