Hunter
06/06/23
An Iowa City man was arrested after a Sunday evening incident in the southeast part of town that resulted in a search for him using a police drone and a K9.
The incident occurred at the Sycamore Apartments on Kountry Lane just after 11pm Sunday. According to police, 25-year-old Jerry Gomez and the woman victim are in a relationship. Gomez reportedly had clothing at the woman’s apartment and was in the process of moving items in. After a dispute with Gomez, the woman got a ride back to her residence. He later showed up at her apartment, allegedly climbing through the bedroom window and knocking over a computer and other items.
Once inside, Gomez reportedly started chasing the woman. She flipped a table over and used it to shield herself, but got hit in the face with the table causing a laceration. The woman got out of the apartment briefly and ran out of the apartment before Gomez allegedly chased her down and bear hugged her from behind.
A good Samaritan intervened to interrupt the assault and helped the woman contact police. Gomez fled prior to the arrival of approximately a half-dozen Iowa City Police cruisers and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office vehicles. A drone was deployed over the area between the Sycamore Apartments and the Iowa City Kickers Soccer Park to search for Gomez. A police K9 and multiple officers also began searching the Sycamore Trail. All law enforcement entities had left the scene by 1:30am.
Gomez was eventually located and taken to the Johnson County Jail at 11:17 am Monday. He’s been charged with Domestic Abuse Assault, 3rd or subsequent offense, a Class D Felony punishable by a prison term of up to five years if convicted.
A no-contact order was requested between the two parties.