Iowa City police arrest teenage transients in connection with armed robbery

Iowa City police have arrested two of three teenage transients suspected in an armed robbery at the Creekside Market on Feb. 22, including one who told the store clerk, “You have five seconds to get the money or I am going to slit your throat wide open.”

Jackie J. Lane, Daveon Curry and Dantreil Ware face charges of first-degree robbery, going armed with intent and assault with a dangerous weapon after police say they collaborated to rob the Creekside Market, 2601 Highway 6 East in Iowa City.

Officers were called to the store about 11 p.m. Feb. 22 after a store clerk said a man entered the business, jumped over the counter and grabbed her from behind in a choke hold, according to police. The suspect then held a knife against the victim's neck and demanded she empty the cash register, police reported.

The victim complied, and the suspect fled, but the robbery was caught on surveillance cameras, according to police. After reviewing the footage, two late night patrol officers recognized the suspect from a previous interaction.

Working with the city's Street Crimes Action Team, investigators found probable cause to arrest Lane, Curry and Ware in connection with the robbery.

Lane is accused of jumping over the counter, brandishing the knife and threatening the clerk's life. He is being held in lieu of a $100,00 cash only bond at the Johnson County Jail.

Curry is accused of acting as a lookout in exchange for money – about $40, according to police. Curry is being held in lieu of a $70,000 cash only bond.

Ware is accused of entering the store to distract the clerk so Lane could sneak up on her, according to police. Warrants have been issued for Ware, and police believe he's fled to the Chicago area.

First-degree robbery is a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Going armed with intent and assault with a dangerous weapon also are felonies, punishable by no more than five years in prison.