Waterloo Times

Cedar Falls police recently arrested a Waterloo man after he allegedly tried to rob two local businesses on the same night. 

According to The Courier, Kalani Maurice Moore, 21, was charged with second-degree robbery and was later released pending trial. The newspaper, citing police reports, indicated that Moore entered a Taco Bell restaurant in the 6000 block of University Avenue just before 11 p.m. on July 3. However, the alleged robbery attempt doesn’t seem to be indicative of any shift in local trends, according to data cited by The Center Square. 

“Violent crimes in Iowa numbered 266.6 per every 100,000 residents of the state as of 2019, the 13th lowest rate among the 50 states,” the website noted, citing analysis from 24/7 Wall St. 

Moreover Iowa’s armed robbery rate remains relatively low, according to Statista.com, with 27.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, compared to 384.4 incidents per 100,000 residents in Washington, D.C.

“Overall, robbery in the United States has been steadily declining for over 20 years,” Safety.com’s safety team wrote in its report, which also noted that robbery is considered a violent crime by the FBI. 

Moore allegedly entered the Taco Bell wearing a pair of surgical masks, according to The Courier, one covering his mouth and the other on his forehead. The newspaper reported that he demanded that employees open the safe, and he kept his hand in his pocket, mimicking a handgun. However, the Safety.com report noted that using a weapon or force is common in robberies. 

“Data from the FBI also indicate that most robbers use a firearm or physical force to cause intimidation, with approximately the same number of crimes being committed with one or the other,” Safety.com’s safety team wrote. 

After employees refused to give Moore money, The Courier reported that he left the business. Police then reviewed surveillance video, spotted a Chevrolet Avalanche truck and traced it back to Moore. The newspaper also reported that authories searched Moore’s home and found surgical masks, clothing identical to that used in the robbery and a Glock Model 17 pistol. Reports do not indicate whether he brandished a weapon during the alleged robbery attempt.

The Courier also reported that Taco Bell allegedly wasn’t Moore’s first target that night. He allegedly had tried a similar tactic less than 30 minutes earlier when he allegedly pulled up to the drive-through window at 5 Corners Liquor and demanded money from the cash register. 

Moore was arrested for second-degree robbery and released pending trial, according to The Courier. KWWL News 7 reported that he faces up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000 if convicted.