A University of Iowa student has been charged with allegedly damaging a taxi cab after an altercation over the cost of a cab fare.

Christopher Ajluni, 23, 705 Streb St., was charged Tuesday with assault causing bodily injury and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

According to an Iowa City police complaint, police responded to reports of criminal mischief/assault on March 18. A cab driver told police officials the verbal argument they were having over the cost of a cab fare turned physical when Ajluni started kicking the side of the cab.

The victim allegedly took Ajluni down to avoid being assaulted, and the two fought.

According to the complaint, the driver received several abrasions, a swollen bloody lip, and an injury to his ribs. Ajluni allegedly admitted to being in a fight with the driver and stated several times his friends had to hold him back so he would not hurt the cab driver further.

Assault causing bodily injury is a serious misdemeanor.

Fourth-degree criminal mischief is a serious misdemeanor.

— by Jordyn Reiland