Third man arrested in connection with Iowa City robbery

IOWA CITY - A third man faces robbery and riot charges in connection with an incident police say occurred earlier this month.

According to Iowa City police criminal complaints, Kiwon Clay, 21, of Iowa City, faces two counts of third-degree robbery and one count of participating in a riot. Joining him in the case are Ali A. Ali, 20, of Iowa City; and Arthur L. Kirksey, 20, of Coralville.

Police report they were called to 511 S. Gilbert St. around 10:53 p.m. Nov. 6 for an assault in progress. Responding officers learned that two people had been assaulted and two more had been robbed by a group of seven or more men.

One woman reported that the men tried to grab her purse before punching her in the stomach, police said. A man said he was held down by several suspects while others went through his pockets. The assailants took a phone from one person, police said.

Police said the men fled the scene before officers arrived, but Ali, Kirksey, Clay and Leroy H. Dix, 18, were found later in an apartment building. At the time, all four men were arrested on counts of simple assault. Now, Ali, Kirksey and Clay face the robbery and riot charges, which are aggravated misdemeanors.

Since he was arrested on the robbery and riot charges, Ali has been arrested again in connection with this case. Police said Ali approached a woman at 511 S. Gilbert St. around 2:46 a.m. Nov. 17, thinking she was part of the robbery case. Despite the woman telling Ali she was not who he thought she was, Ali allegedly told her to tell the police he did not hit her. Ali also told the woman she shouldn't talk about the case, police said.

Ali now faces one count of tampering with a witness.

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