KCJJ was initially reporting a robbery at Scheel's that led to the evacuation of the Coralridge Mall in Coralville. It was noted that a vehicle had been used to crash through the store's main entrance. It was eventually noted that the suspect was apprehended by the police and that the mall was allowing customers back into the mall (though presumably not into Scheel's itself.
However, most recently KCJJ has been reporting that this is looking more and more like a drunk driving incident. Not only that, but a Ford Explorer is still in the store and made it as far as the escalators. I cannot imagine the mess -- or the expense!! -- that has resulted from this incident.
The Internet access at Jon's Blog HQ is mostly broken today, so my access for blog updates outside approving comments will be fairly limited. Hopefully I'll have more details about this incident tomorrow.
Quick Update: I was just about to log off when I found a concise summary of the initial news report on KCJJ's Facebook page:
One person is in custody after an incident at the Scheels Sporting Goods store at Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville. The Iowa Department of Public Safety tells CBS 2/FOX 28 it all started around 3:00am. The suspect was captured some four hours later. Sources tell KCJJ drunk driver crashed into Scheel's overnight; Ford Explorer still sitting at the foot of the escalator.Also, I found a really cool pic of the vehile within the store itself. Check it out:
Update: Both KCJJ and the Press-Citizen have released additional information about the suspect in this case. It is starting to make more sense why it was initially being reported as a burglary and later described as a drunk driving incident. Check this out:
Coralville Police and Officers from several other law enforcement agencies responded to an alarm at Scheel’s All Sports, located in the Coral Ridge Mall, at about 2:32 A.M. this morning. Officers arrived within minutes and found that a 2002 Ford Explorer had been driven through the front entrance doors of the business. The Coral Ridge Mall building, and specifically Sheel’s, were immediately secured and a subsequent alarm indicated that there was someone inside the Scheel’s building. Officers heard what may have been a gunshot which would indicate that the person was armed.Moreno is being charged with OWI 1st offense, Burglary in the 1st degree, Reckless Use of a Firearm with Property Damage, and Carrying a Concealed Weapon. Additional charges may be forthcoming.
Members of the Coralville Police Emergency Response Team were able to enter the building, determine his location and take him into custody at 8:45 A.M. JOSEPH ALBERT MORENO, age 23, of 220 Lafayette St. #201, Iowa City was taken into custody at the scene. A pistol which is believed to belong to Moreno was recovered at Scheel’s. Moreno suffered a cut as a result of his activities prior to contact with police. Moreno suffered no other injuries and no officers were injured during the event.
The boys and I were shopping this afternoon at the Coralridge Mall. Scheel's is currently closed. Not only that, but the store and/or the mall have placed placards up in front of the inside store entrance so that customers cannot see what's going on inside.