Alleged cell phone thief next steals a car, cops say

MASON CITY – Accused of stealing a cell phone at a homeless shelter, a Northwood man was jailed, only to be released and next commit grand theft auto, police say.

Eric Devon Brown, age 35, is facing a swath of charges at this time after what amounts to a crime spree since January in Worth and Cerro Gordo counties. His latest activity allegedly involved the stealing of a car in Mason City. According to police, on February 21, 2015, at approximately 8:00 pm, a person in Mason City reported their car stolen apparently by a known acquaintance. Shortly thereafter, at 9:36 pm, a Worth County Deputy stopped the car driven by Eric Devon Brown. Brown was arrested and charged with felony second degree theft. He was later transported to the Cerro Gordo County Jail.

Just two days prior to the car theft incident, Mason city police were summoned to the Northern Lights Homeless Shelter for men, located at 307 North Monroe Avenue, on February 19 at about 8:15 AM to investigate the theft of a cell phone. After an investigation, police arrested Brown on a charge of fifth degree theft and taken to jail where was booked and held on bond but soon released.

Brown was also charged with third degree theft on January 17, again by Mason City police. He posted a $2,000 bond and was released from jail on February 11. He awaits a hearing later this month.

Additionally, Brown is facing charges of third degree theft, unauthorized use of a credit card, domestic abuse assault and disorderly conduct/fighting in Worth county at this time, all brought by the Worth County Sheriff. He will be arraigned on March 16 in Northwood on the theft and credit card fraud charges and a March 5, 2015 trial on the domestic abuse and disorderly conduct charges.