Iowa City Police: Argument Over Cab Fare Leads to University of Iowa Student Kicking Taxi, Scuffling with Driver

An Iowa City man is facing several charges following a dispute with a taxi driver that allegedly occurred in March.

According to an Iowa City police criminal complaint released this morning, police were called to 705 Streb St. at 2:31 a.m. for the report of an incident involving assault and criminal mischief.

The officers arrived to find a driver of a cab, who told them that he had been in an argument over cab fare with Christopher John Ajluni, 23, of Iowa City, when Ajluni allegedly began kicking the side of his vehicle. According to the driver, he confronted Ajluni, who then allegedly wrestled him to the ground where they began to fight.

After the fight, the driver received several abrasions, a swollen bloody lip, and a rib injury. Ajluni allegedly told the officers that he had been a fight with the driver, and "stated several times" that he had to be held back by friends to prevent him from attacking the driver further, according to the complaint. Ajluni complained of pain to his hand, and allegedly admitted to officers that he "may have punched" the driver.

The events were apparently corroborated by four different witnesses, according to the complaint. The estimated cost ot the vehicle was at least $320.

Ajluni is facing assault causing bodily injury and fourth-degree criminal mischief charges, both misdemeanors.

A Christopher J. Ajluni is listed as a student in the University of Iowa student directory. His hometown is listed as Johnston, Iowa.