Police: Man robbed Iowa City store, left empty-handed

Iowa City police have arrested a man they say robbed a gas station, but got away with no money.

Police said Eric D. Svensson, 23, of Iowa City, who has no known address, went into the L&M Mighty Shop, 505 E. Burlington, on Jan. 23. He approached the counter with a 12-pack of bottled beer, and when they store employee rang up the sale, Svensson shoved the bottles at the employee.

When the bottles struck the employee, police said Svensson tried to reach across the counter to take money from the register, but the employee pushed him, causing Svensson to lose his balance.

Svensson then regained his balance and fled the store without any cash or beer, according to police.

He was arrested Monday on multiple warrants, and faces charges of second-degree robbery from the Jan. 23 incident, third-degree theft from a December incident and possession of marijuana from an August incident, police said.