by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – The Mason City Police Department held a press conference Friday afternoon in order to inform the public of a series of events over the last 24 hours, and to ask for their help in solving the crimes.
A pick-up truck was stolen from Shopko Thursday evening at around 8:30 p.m.
Friday morning at about 9:15 a.m., a “vague” bomb threat was called into Newman School, according to Captian Mike McKelvey.
At 9:59 a.m. Friday morning, police received word that First Citizen’s Bank, located at 33 East State Street, had been robbed. Information seemed to link the stolen truck possibly to the robbery.
It was said that the bomb threat may have been a ruse to distract police while the bank was robbed.
The stolen truck was located today inside Mason City city limits, at 11:34 a.m.
The robbery suspect is believed to be male and made efforts to conceal his identity. No one was hurt in the robbery and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken. No weapon was displayed. The FBI is assisting in the investigation.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636.
On another note, McKelvey did follow up on a garage fire that took place Thursday evening at 910 13th Street SE. He said at the press conference that a woman refused medical treatment and that items consistant with a meth lab were removed from the residence there. The items have been sent for testing to determine if charges will be filed.
Watch police press conference:
