Lang
5/2/25
Three suspects have been arrested in a downtown Iowa City rioting case.
Iowa City Police say 19-year-old Mekayla Abercrombie and 18-year-old Maliah Taylor, both of Cedar Rapids, became involved in an argument just before 2:00 on the morning of April 20th outside Elray’s Live & Dive on Iowa Avenue. The alleged victims said they knew the situation was going to turn physical, so they put their phones and purses on the ground so they could defend themselves. Abercrombie and Taylor then reportedly pepper-sprayed one of the other parties, and they and three others allegedly jumped the person. The alleged victim’s sister became involved and was also reportedly assaulted.
Police say Abercrombie, Taylor and 18-year-old Lnya Bell of 12th Street in Coralville then took the items the alleged victims had set down and fled the area. The total value of the stolen items is listed at $2,580. That includes $1,700 in cellphones, which the suspects reportedly destroyed at a nearby gas station. The phone destruction was captured on video.
Abercrombie, Taylor and Bell are all now charged with Participating in a Riot, 2nd Degree Theft, Assault Causing Bodily Injury and 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on all counts, they each face a maximum of 16 years in prison.