Armed Robbery Arrest | Crime

IOWA CITY, Iowa--On Tuesday, January 8th, officers from the Iowa City Police Department responded to the area of Fairchild and North Van Buren Streets where a report of an armed robbery had just occurred.Responding officers met with the adult male victim, a Marcos Taxi driver, who reported that he had just been robbed at gunpoint. The victim picked up the lone male suspect at 2401 Highway 6 E and drove him to Market Street. Once they reached their destination the suspect pointed a handgun at the cab driver and demanded money and the driver's cell phone. The victim gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash and his cell phone then exited the cab and ran from the area, leaving the suspect in the cab. When officers arrived the cab was no longer where the driver left it parked.

Approximately two hours later the Coralville Police Department responded to a report of another cab stolen and the cab driver robbed at gunpoint. The description of the suspect matched the suspect from the earlier robbery in Iowa City.

Coralville Police located the stolen cab and arrested Bruce Steven Austin, Jr., of Iowa City. Bruce Steven Austin Jr., was charged with 1st Degree Robbery and Operating a Motor Vehicle without Owner's Consent.

The cab driver that was robbed in Iowa City positively identified Austin as the man that robbed him. The Marcos Taxi vehicle was later located in a parking lot on Heinz Road in Iowa City.

Submitted Police Press Release