CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Firefighters in Cedar Rapids responded to a homeless encampment in Cedar Rapids that caught fire on Tuesday. Firefighters were called to an embankment off I-380 between Coe College and Cedar Lake in the 600 block of Center Point Road NE just after 1 p.m. Smoke from the flames was visible on the TV9 Cedar Rapids CityCAM. When fire crews arrived, they said they found a makeshift shelter area with what appeared to be two tents and several piles of various material on fire. Firefighters said there were no inhabitants present when crews arrived. The Iowa DOT owns the property where the fire happened. Cedar Rapids police confirmed the Iowa DOT and the city of Cedar Rapids had slated the area for clean up next week. No injuries were reported related to this incident. The cause of the fire has not been released. It remains under investigation.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – An Iowa City man is facing numerous charges after police say he took thousands of dollars from a victim in a scheme involving fraudulent checks. Chamar Richardson, 26, of Iowa City, is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Non-forcible Felony, Theft, Forgery and Controlled Substance Violation. A criminal complaint says Richardson convinced the victim on Aug. 23, 2024, to give up her banking information by telling her, he could make her quick money. Two forged checks of more than $2,000 each were deposited into the victim’s account on Aug. 23. Then on Aug. 26, another forged check of more than $2,000 was deposited. Police say Richardson drove the victim to the bank, where she withdrew $3,500 in cash and gave it to Richardson. Investigators said they discovered messages on Richardson’s phone, showing he conspired with another person (not named in the criminal complaint) to deposit the forged checks in the victim’s account. Richardson and the other person then split the money they obtained fraudulently. A month later, investigators conducted a search of Richardson’s residence and found 37.13 grams of flower marijuana, 126.75 grams of marijuana “Candy Blasters,” and a personally made firearm. Investigators said they also found numerous messages on Richardson’s phone coordinating the distribution and sale of marijuana. Chamar Richardson was also arrested on Saturday and charged with domestic abuse assault for an incident at an Iowa City apartment.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – One of the men accused of drag racing in 2023, leading to a crash that killed a Waterloo woman, has entered a plea of guilty. Kesean Ford and Elijah Seals were accused of speeding down East Court Street side-by-side near City High on May 27, 2023, when they crashed into the vehicle of 22-year-old Jennifer Russell, killing her. Ford was originally charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and involuntary manslaughter. He had originally pleaded not guilty. His trial was supposed to begin on Tuesday. On Tuesday, Kesean Ford entered a guilty plea to one charge of Homicide by Vehicle – Excessive Speed. Seals entered an Alford plea in October, not admitting guilt, but acknowledging prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. He was sentenced to three years of probation on a ten-year suspended sentence. A sentencing hearing for Ford is set for May 19.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Iowa (KCRG) – A man is charged with indecent exposure after University Heights Police say he exposed himself to a woman walking near Kinnick Stadium. According to a criminal complaint, the victim told police that she was walking down a sidewalk on Melrose Avenue Monday evening when she was stopped by 41-year-old Namir Marrero. The victim said Marrero started mumbling and said he had something for her. The victim said Marrero reached into his pants and exposed his penis. The victim left the area and reported the incident to police. According the complaint, an officer made contact with Marrero, who matched the description given by the victim, near Slater Hall. Marrero admitted to urinating in the area but denied exposing himself. Marrero also began questioning if the officer he was talking to was a real police officer before advising that “someone else must have called the police, not the victim.” The officer says Marrero was visibly intoxicated and seemed confused. He is also charged with public intoxication. According to the complaint, Marrero also has warrants for his arrest in Pennsylvania for indecent exposure and for a possession charge in Wisconsin.
