Iowa City man arrested after harassing restaurant employee during Downtown Block Party

Hunter
06/27/22

An Iowa City man was arrested during the Downtown Block Party Saturday night after allegedly harassing and threatening a restaurant employee.

Arrest reports indicate the incident occurred at Aspen Leaf on  South Dubuque Street at around 6:45pm. Police on foot patrol were approached by the owner who told them that 28-year-old Dequan Miles of South Dodge Street was harassing and threatening one of his staff. The officers spoke with the employee, who was shaking. She told them that Miles got very close to her and threatened to strangle her because she would not give him free food.

The employee added that she was very scared, as Miles stared directly into her eyes as he was threatening her, and the owner had to get between them and physically push Miles away from his employee.

Miles was arrested and charged with 1st Degree Harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by a jail term of up to two years if convicted. A no-contact order was requested by the victim.