Man arrested for Cedar Rapids robbery after waving down police

UPDATE: Police said a man who waved down an officer early Thursday morning and claimed he was robbed ultimately was arrested for robbery behind a Czech Village bar.

Juan Capetillo, 29, of 1553 E Ave. NE, No. 3, was taken into custody on suspicion of second-degree robbery. Police said he is accused of trying to take property from the vehicle of another man and then punching the man in the face.

According to a police report, Capetillo waved down a police officer around 1:46 a.m. as the officer was patrolling in Czech Village, and claimed he had just been robbed. Capetillo told the officer the incident happened behind Red Baron Bar and Dance Club, 62 16th Ave., but when the officer asked for a description of the suspect, Capetillo seemed confused.

Police said Capetillo then accused the officer of not wanting to help him and walked away. He ignored attempts by the officer to get him to stop, the officer said.

The officer went behind the bar and located Patrick Harms, 26, of Cedar Rapids, who they determined was the true victim of the robbery. Harms told police he walked out of the bar and noticed lights on his sport-utility vehicle flashing. He noticed that someone had gone through the vehicle and taken items, and stopped a man later identified as Capetillo, who was walking away.

When Harms confronted Capetillo and took his property back, Capetillo punched him in the face, knocking off his glasses, and left the area, police said.

The description Harms gave matched the earlier man who had waved down the officer. Capetillo was located on the 12th Avenue bridge. Police said he tried to run from officers, but fell and hit his face on the street.

Capetillo was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for injuries from the fall, and then taken to the Linn County Jail. Harms declined medical treatment.