Iowa City Man Accused of Stealing Backpacks at Old Capitol Center

Shelter House resident Yahya Karim faces theft charges after alleged incident earlier this month.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 4:09pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a ripped, tattered backpack strap against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the aftermath of a theft incident.A recent spate of backpack thefts in downtown Iowa City has raised concerns about public safety and the need for increased security measures.Iowa City Today

A 46-year-old Iowa City man named Yahya Karim has been charged with third-degree theft after allegedly going through two backpacks at the Old Capitol Center in downtown Iowa City on April 2nd and stealing the contents of one of them. Karim had previously been given a trespass warning for the building the day before the incident.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues with property crime and theft in downtown Iowa City, particularly involving individuals experiencing homelessness. The Old Capitol Center is a popular public gathering space, and incidents like this can raise concerns about public safety and security in the area.

The details

According to police, security cameras captured Karim rifling through two backpacks at the Old Capitol Center on the evening of April 2nd. Karim allegedly stole the contents of one of the backpacks, valued at up to $1,500, and gave the other backpack to another suspect to steal. Karim had been issued a trespass warning for the building the day before the incident.

  • On April 1st, Karim was given a trespass warning for the Old Capitol Center.
  • On April 2nd, Karim was caught on camera going through the two backpacks and stealing the contents of one.

The players

Yahya Karim

A 46-year-old Iowa City resident who was charged with third-degree theft after the alleged backpack theft incident at the Old Capitol Center.

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What’s next

Karim is scheduled to appear in court on the theft charges in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges downtown Iowa City faces with property crime and homelessness, and the need for continued collaboration between law enforcement, social services, and the community to address these complex issues.