Former UI student wanted for attempted murder flees country, dad arrested in Omaha
The former University of Iowa student charged with attempted murder and theft who allegedly cut-off his ankle monitor last weekend has fled the country.
The Johnson County Attorney’s Office and University of Iowa Police Department, in cooperation with federal law enforcement authorities, confirmed Ali Younes is believed to be in Jordan after flying out of the O'Hare Airport in Chicago on Saturday, May 6.
Younes, 19, had allegedly cut-off his ankle monitor that same day, prompting a manhunt spearheaded by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
He used Jordanian travel documents to board a Royal Jordanian Airlines flight, according to a news release.
Younes’ parents, Alfred and Lima Younes, were arrested Tuesday and charged with aiding and abetting his escape, a class D felony.
Alfred Younes was attempting to board a flight in Omaha, Nebraska to travel to Amman, Jordan, when he was intercepted by the Omaha Police Department’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit as well as the Omaha Airport Authority.
Lima Younes was arrested on a UIPD warrant with the assistance of Sioux County Sherriff’s Office.
Both parents will be transported to Johnson County, according to the news release.
“My office, along with the University of Iowa Police Department and local and federal law enforcement partners, is committed to ensuring that Younes does not escape justice,” said Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith in a news release. “We will do everything we can to hold him accountable, as well as those who assisted him in fleeing the country.”
Younes had been restricted to his family home in O’Brien County for the past 11 months from a court order that stemmed from his original arrest in 2022. He was to stay with his family on house arrest as he awaits trial for allegedly stranding a victim and leaving the person unconscious on the University of Iowa campus in April of 2022.
The former University of Iowa student, who was a freshman at the time, forcefully removed a pair of earrings from the victim's unconscious body, according to court records. The earrings were allegedly valued at $20,000.
Younes later admitted to law enforcement he stole the earrings because he believed the victim was dead.
Younes was charged with attempted murder, first-degree theft and first-degree robbery. He was scheduled to go to trial for his charges on May 16 in the Johnson County District Court, according to the news release.
More: FBI, Homeland Security seek former UI student on house arrest for attempted murder
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or 319-519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Former UI student and attempted murder suspect fled to Jordan
