Hunter
04/06/20
Two Coralville men were taken into custody for firearms violations after an incident outside a North Liberty residence early Monday morning.
Officers were called to the 600 block of Sugar Creek Lane around 12:20am after the victim stated a subject was outside her residence demanding to be let in. The alleged suspect, identified as 19-year-old Keith Brown of Northland Circle, was reportedly displaying a firearm with a large capacity magazine and made threats to the victim, threatening to kill her if she didn’t let him inside.
By the time officers arrived, Brown had taken off running through neighborhood back yards. The victim provided police with a description of Brown. Both he and the firearm were later found, but police say he refused to comply with their orders to stop before eventually apprehending him.
A records check on the firearm showed that it had been stolen from Cedar Rapids, and witnesses to the incident identified Brown as the subject possessing the firearm.
Brown was charged with Harassment in the first degree, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, interference with official acts, and third degree theft. If convicted on all charges, he could be sentenced to over nine years in prison.
A check of arrest records shows Brown has previous incidents involving firearms. He was charged with carrying weapons on October 11th when he was a passenger in a car the driver abandoned after being stopped by police. He allegedly admitted having a gun in his waistband. A look-alike air soft pistol that can cause serious injury was confiscated, as was the magazine Brown had in his back pocket.
On December 22nd, officers were called to the Super 8 on First Avenue in Coralville when a woman saw two people standing between two cars in the parking lot. She went outside to see what they were doing and when Brown saw her walking toward him, allegedly pulled out a gun from his jacket pocket. She ran back into the building and called police. He was charged with carrying weapons and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.
Another person was involved in the early Monday incident; 19-year-old Travion Gathright of 10th Street in Coralville was charged with fraudulent purchase of firearms after he allegedly admitted under Miranda that he purchased a firearm illegally from a private party several days prior to the incident. He could be sentenced to up to five years in prison if convicted.
