Police: Man causes nearly $1K in damage during ‘banana assault’

A Des Moines man was jailed Monday after police said he assaulted a convenience store clerk with a banana.Police responded to reports of a dispute at a QuikTrip at 3941 SE 14th St. around 3 a.m.According to police, the store clerk reported being chased around the store by 26-year-old Rogelio Tapia after trying to intervene in his domestic situation.Police received witness reports claiming Tapia chased the clerk and threw items at the clerk, including a banana.A police report said Tapia caused around $1,000 in damage.Tapia is charged with assault on persons in certain occupations, simple assault, interference with official acts and third-degree criminal mischief. According to the Des Moines Police Department Facebook page, Des Moines police answered over 270 calls on New Year’s Eve, including the “banana assault.”

A Des Moines man was jailed Monday after police said he assaulted a convenience store clerk with a banana.

Police responded to reports of a dispute at a QuikTrip at 3941 SE 14th St. around 3 a.m.


According to police, the store clerk reported being chased around the store by 26-year-old Rogelio Tapia after trying to intervene in his domestic situation.

Police received witness reports claiming Tapia chased the clerk and threw items at the clerk, including a banana.

A police report said Tapia caused around $1,000 in damage.

Tapia is charged with assault on persons in certain occupations, simple assault, interference with official acts and third-degree criminal mischief.

According to the Des Moines Police Department Facebook page, Des Moines police answered over 270 calls on New Year’s Eve, including the “banana assault.”

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