Ames Man Accused in False Alarm and Squad Car Damage, Faces New Charges

A 20-year-old Ames man who was charged with public intoxication, fifth-degree criminal mischief and harassment of public officials and employees after allegedly pulling a fire alarm in a Mortensen Road apartment building and later damaging a police squad car now faces additional charges.

Austin Bishop received charges of fourth-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct Thursday on top of the charges he already received in the Jan. 25 incident.

Bishop allegedly pulled a fire alarm in an apartment building after 12 a.m. Jan 25 and told firefighters who came to investigate that he would like to speak with police, complaints said. He gave a fake name and was arrested for public intoxication, complaints said. The man later ripped off a squad car's door handle following his arrest, according to criminal complaints.

The additional criminal mischief and disorderly conduct charge stem from damage to multiple fire alarms on the second and third floor.

A person saw Bishop try to break a light on the building's second floor and then pull a fire alarm, a complaint for disorderly conduct said. Bishop was also charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief for pulling the alarm pull station off the wall on the building's third floor, according to complaints. People told police in a follow up investigation that Bishop pulled the alarm off the wall and threw it on the ground after being told to leave a party on the third floor, complaints said. Damage was estimated at $300.

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