Arrest made following April 25 Hawk Alert

UI Police have arrested Ali Younes, 18, of Iowa City, following an investigation of a robbery that occurred on Monday, April 25, 2022, near Art Building West, 141 N. Riverside Drive. Younes faces the following charges: 

• First-degree Robbery, a Class B Felony
• First-degree Theft, a Class C Felony 

Younes has also been issued a criminal trespass warning for the University of Iowa campus. 

This investigation is ongoing. If you have any additional information, please contact UI Police at 319-335-5022. 

Please note police are limited in the actions they can take in responding to anonymous reports on social media. We ask that anyone who has experienced harassment or unwanted contact report it to university officials and/or law enforcement to ensure prohibited behavior is addressed under university policies and/or criminal statutes. 

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

Hawk Alert: Thanks to a quick community response, the person of interest has been identified and is in custody. See e.uiowa.edu for further information.

Hawk Alert: Robbery remains under investigation. Remain vigilant, and report any info about this incident to UIPD 319-335-5022. See update at e.uiowa.edu.

University of Iowa Police Investigate Reported Robbery

At approximately 10:20 p.m. on Monday, April 25, University of Iowa Police responded to Art Building West, 141 N. Riverside Drive, for a report of a first degree robbery.

The female victim reported that she was walking home when she was approached from behind and attacked by an unknown male. The victim was transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for non-life threatening injuries. The victim described the suspect as a white male with brown hair wearing a red and white jacket. 

This incident remains under investigation. UI Police have identified a person of interest - pictured below - and would like to speak with them about this incident. Anyone with information about this incident or the person of interest is asked to contact UI Police at 319-335-5022. 

Please note: This incident was originally reported as an assault, but is now being investigated as a first degree robbery.

Safety Tips

• Walk with a group whenever possible, and be aware of your surroundings, especially late at night and in the early morning hours. Avoid distractions, such as cell phones, especially if you are alone. 
• Make use of campus safety services, such as NITE RIDE or Rave Guardian, whenever possible. 
• If you are being followed, go to a well-lit or crowded location and call 911.
• Don't risk injury for material items, give them up immediately if you are threatened with physical harm.
• You are not obligated to communicate with strangers; don't be concerned with appearing to be rude if you feel vulnerable.
• Always lock the doors of your residence, even when you are home. 
• If you observe a crime in progress, stay calm, find a safe location, and call the police immediately by dialing 911. Take note of as many as details as possible for law enforcement such as a description of the suspect, direction of their travel, and the make/model and license plate of a vehicle, etc.

Contact:
Hayley Bruce, PIO, Department of Public Safety, 319-335-5022

Situation update: UI Police are actively investigating this incident. Remain vigilant, and use campus safety services. If you have any information, please contact UI Police at 319-335-5022. In an emergency, dial 911. 

Situation update: This incident remains under investigation, and police continue to search for the suspect. If you have any information about this incident, please contact UIPD at 319-335-5022. In an emergency, dial 911.

Situation update: Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to UI Police (319-335-5022). In an emergency, dial 911. Make use of campus safety services like NITE RIDE and Rave Guardian: https://police.uiowa.edu/be-hawkeyesafe.