Lang
5/20/23
A suspected bicycle thief led University of Iowa Police on a foot chase through the woods Thursday afternoon, leading to an officer being injured.
According to arrest records, 25-year-old Boni Mushalangwa of Paddock Circle was caught in the act of stealing a bicycle from the Aspire Apartments on Hawkeye Park Road just before 3:30 Thursday afternoon. The two Aspire employees who reported Mushalangwa followed him around in a UTV until UI Police could arrive on the scene. He reportedly refused to speak to the arriving officer and fled into the woods near the railroad tracks to the north.
Seven other law enforcement officers joined the first officer in searching the woods for Mushalangwa. About an hour after he fled, Mushalangwa was found in the timber area of the UI cross country course. His clothes were reportedly wet from his attempt to cross a large waterway, and a glass pipe used for smoking marijuana was allegedly found on his person.
One UI Police officer was injured during the search after slipping and falling on a loose rock.
Mushalangwa is charged with 5th Degree Theft, Interference With Official Acts Causing Injury and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. If convicted on all chagres, he faces a maximum of 25 months in jail.
