Iowa City police arrested a homeless man on the evening of Oct. 14 after he allegedly attempted to throw away a cache of drugs when officers approached.

Shannon Swartzendruber, also known as Dooby, was observed by Iowa City police officers walking with a friend down an alley in the 300 block of Iowa Avenue. Upon seeing the approaching officers, he allegedly threw several items from his hand to the ground, items that allegedly included a pouch containing marijuana and approximately 40 capsules suspected to be Ecstasy. The capsules reportedly field-tested positive for methamphetamine, a component of MDMA.

According to a complaint by Iowa City police, Swartzendruber has eight previous drug convictions, several of which are felonies.

Swartzendruber was charged with possession of a Schedule-I controlled substance (MDMA), third-and-subsequent possession of marijuana, obstruction of prosecution, and failure to affix a tax stamp to MDMA.

— by Matt Starns