MASON CITY – A Mason City man previously convicted on a range of serious crimes – many of them felonies – and wanted on a new assault charge, was nabbed by Mason City police on Thursday morning south of the Cultural Crescent and then quickly released from custody.
According to police, Monte Ray Bitker, age 29, was wanted for an alleged assault that took place on October 12th and was reported at 11:34 PM that evening. Bitker is alleged to have punched a man that day at around 10:30 PM in the 400 block 2nd Street NW. Bitker left the scene before police arrived. Soon after, a nationwide arrest warrant was issued for Bitker’s arrest.
Five days later, just after midnight on October 17th, officers stopped subjects for bicycle violations at 11th Street and South President Avenue. One of the subjects, Monte Ray Bitker, was arrested on the arrest warrant and taken to jail.
Just hours later, Bitker – a felon convicted of drug crimes, burglary, and forgery – was able to post $1,000 cash/surety bond through M&M Bonding Company.
A source indicated that Bitker was paroled from prison just two weeks ago.