MASON CITY – A not guilty plea has been entered and a trial date set for a teen who allegedly carjacked and beat up a woman earlier this month.
Michael Juwan Jacob Hughes, age 18, has entered not guilty pleas to two of the serious charges he faces after a rampage he allegedly took part in on February 3, 2015. Hughes has pleaded not guilty to first offense operating while intoxicated and second degree theft and will stand trial on those charges on April 21. Hughes has a public defender.
Hughes faces charges of operating while intoxicated; robbery in the second degree; 2 counts of reckless driving; 2 counts of failure to maintain control; 2 counts of leaving the scene of an accident; 2 count of failure to obey a traffic control device; obstructed view; leaving an unattended vehicle on the highway; failure stop and failure to stop from a private drive before crossing a highway.
The charges stem from his alleged actions on February 3, 2015, when at about 6:00 PM that evening, a hit and run incident was reported to police at 6th Street SW and Monroe Avenue. There were a number occupants in the offending vehicle, but a caller told police that people began to jump out of the car until only Hughes was left inside. What was described as at least two black males ran from the car and were near the Taco Bell restaurant, and at least one of them may have went inside, as Hughes continued to flee the area west on 6th SW. He drove to Highway 122 and began to blow through traffic lights at a high rate of speed. He rear-ended a stop vehicle at Highway 122 and Eisenhower Avenue, but the collision disabled his vehicle. Hughes then ran on foot to the Wal-Mart Super Center.
Hughes ran to a woman who police say was clearing snow from her vehicle and “viciously attacked” her and stole her car. He left the parking lot in that vehicle and drove east on Highway 122. Police were receiving multiple calls from witnesses and victims as this incident occurred. The injured woman went back inside the Wal-Mart store and her husband was called and eventually, an ambulance.
As he drove, the vehicle somehow became mechanically disabled. Hughes exited the vehicle and began walking along the shoulder of the road. Mason City police and Cerro Gordo deputies converged on the alleged assailant and took him into custody. The Iowa State Patrol was involved in the hunt for Hughes, and Clear Lake police had been warned that a problem could be coming their way.
Hughes will face trial on the other charges at later dates.
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
A Mason City teen has pled not guilty to charges he went on a rampage through town.
The Mason City Police Department says 18-year-old Michael Juwan Jacob Hughes was involved in a hit-and-run accident February 3 near the intersection of 6th Street and South Monroe Avenue. Hughes allegedly got into multiple crashes while fleeing the scene. Authorities also say Hughes stole another person’s car to continue his escape. When that vehicle became disabled, Hughes allegedly fled on foot until he was arrested.
Hughes is charged with 2nd degree robbery and OWI. His jury trial is scheduled for April 21.
This is nothing more than a attempt to get a plea bargain. They should throw the book at him, not let him off. He endangered a lot of people with his totally irresponsible actions. He could have easily killed someone.
Oh of coarse he didn’t do it… I’m sure it was the fault of the old lady he beat up or the owner of one of the cars he ran into.. Bla bla bla..
Lock this turd up and throw away the key!!!