Two arrests made in February robbery of Days Inn in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Two men have been charged in the armed robbery of a Cedar Rapids hotel on Valentine's Day.

Marcus D. Gamblin, 27, address unknown, and Johnnie K.J. Phillips, 30, of Waterloo, are accused of robbing the Days Inn at 2215 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE around 11:45 p.m. Feb. 14. No one was injured in the incident.

Hotel owner Pankaj Patel said one man displayed a handgun to the clerk and was given about $185, while the other man acted as a lookout.

Gamblin and Phillips are charged with first-degree robbery, police said. Gamblin was already in the Black Hawk County Jail in connection with another robbery in Waterloo and was served with the new charge. Phillips was arrested early Tuesday morning at his residence in Waterloo and was transferred to the Linn County Jail.

Cedar Rapids police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said numerous calls came in after investigators released surveillance video and still images to the media on March 2. Gamblin and Phillips were identified, and warrants were issued for their arrests.

Police said Gamblin was still on the loose after the Cedar Rapids robbery when he allegedly participated in an attempted armed robbery on Feb. 29 at Neighborhood Mart in Waterloo .