by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – Mason City police have a suspect in custody in a bank robbery that occurred February 3rd.
Mason City police say they have developed information that ties Allen Mark Penhollow, 32, of Mason City, to the stolen truck, the bomb threat that was called in to Newman School, and the First Citizens Bank robbery. This series of events took place in about a 24 hour span on February 2nd and 3rd. See original press conference, here.
On Wednesday, Mason City Police investigators applied for an arrest warrant for Penhollow charging him with 2nd degree theft, a class D felony. Penhollow was tracked to the Des Moines area and law enforcement and FBI agents in that area were alerted and assisted in the apprehension of the suspect. Penhollow was arrested Wednesday evening without incident and taken into custody by FBI agents and MCPD Investigators.
Penhollow was transported to the Cerro Gordo County Jail Thursday morning. In addition to the arrest warrant, he will be charged today with 2nd degree robbery, a class C felony; arson, for the bomb threat, a class D felony; and terrorism, a class D felony.
The police investigation also ties Emily Elizabeth Francis, 29, of Mason City, to the bomb threat and bank robbery as an accomplice before, during and after. Arrest warrants will be applied for Thursday that charge her with 2nd degree robbery, arson and terrorism. “We have a good idea where she is at but are unable to physically arrest her at this time,” said Captain Mike McKelvey of the Mason City Police Department.
The Mason City Police Department would like to thank the citizens, media, businesses, and other agencies that assisted with the investigation or submitted possible leads.
Allen Mark Penhollow
Emily Elizabeth Francis
SUBJECTS ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
I really could care less if she or anyone else is in treatment for whatever. The fact remains she stole from hard working people, who are struggling to make ends meet in this horrible economy. Is it really so hard to fill out an job application and earn your money? Too late for this now, the damage is done. I hope the judge makes an example out of these two. The district attorney needs to be made aware of the fact that we (the law abiding citizens of Iowa) are not going to take it anymore. Just like in the tv show “Beretta” don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.
Some people never grow up and it takes real time to realize you can’t just get away with anything. By reading comments connected to this article it appears that Emily has had time in treatment and it tells me that her judgement is blurred by her past/present(?) drug use also. Until one grows up and puts drugs and those associated with drugs behind them, that person will always be in trouble or finally in jail…whether they are a good person or not.
Who cares if Emily is in treatment or not at prairie ridge! That place is the biggest joke. She’s been a trouble maker her whole life and has a little girl that she does not take care of cause the dad has her! She needs to go sit in prison and that will do her more good than a treatment facility!
Matt, thanks for adding the Spam Free option.
Oh my! I thought from all the comments on the previous article on this incident, that Mason City PD was worthless, incompetent, and lazy? Yet, they have suspects arrested? Well, just how could that be????????????????
Maybe, just maybe, our police department is far more effective than so many of you think.
Bank robbery is a Federal rap. They won’t get off anywhere near as easy as a state charge.
most of the mcpd are very capable, but there is always a few that drag them down( the ones that think they are super cops.)
Emily in treatment…that’s funny just seen her at the casino in Northwood on Sat. (Early Sun morn). I guess they should of made it in-patient instead of sending her home…..lolololololo
Bust the drug dealers in mason !! The meth use is wrecking our families!!! Morals and values !! Emily is in treatment ..has been ..So I am sure if I know this MCPD knows this. My heart goes out to her family and friends that have tried to help.
looks like the lights are on and nobody is home, with both of them!
Great job to the MCPD. Unfortunately, they will probably be granted a plea bargain and will get 3 months probation and a $150 fine. MC Justice at it’s best.
FEAR NOT, You’r local JUDGE will have them in BEJE Clark next week:o))))))))) You poor saps in MASON!!!!
Great job Mason City Police Dept. I am so proud to have this force in Mason City. Again, great job.
Worthless POS, Hang em in central park so everyone can watch and also bring all the molestors and have a hang gnag party
Definitely not Bonny and Clyde, or John Dillinger. Good plan though, but they must have told too many people.
Shocker Emily Francis is wanted for again stealing from someone else………not all that long ago she was busted stealing from Mercy! Grow up!! You are almost 30!! Its obvious some people just never change!!
Ditto, sounds like some solid police work with the description and information they had to go on.
Maybe this will help calm the naysayers about the ability of the MCPD… Probably not.