by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer –
MASON CITY – One Mason City business is doing its part to help in the search for two missing Evansdale, Iowa girls who went missing on July 13, 2012.
Rick Kimmerer, (pictured, right) owner of Taco John’s on South Federal in Mason City, is putting pictures and information of the missing girls, Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook, in each to-go bag and drive-thru food bag.
“The idea came to us from Kristy Marquis, who is with State Farm,” explained Kimmerer. “They said that they would print them, for free, as long as we would hand them out here. So, we coordinated with them and got this going about a week and half ago.”
Although they were out of fliers at this time, they were expecting to get more soon.
“I think it’s a good deal that we can try and help, along with other businesses in the area, to get this to people who are traveling through and for local people that might not be aware of this. That is why we are doing this.”
A $50,000 reward through anonymous sources and Crime Stoppers is being offered in the case.
If you have any information call the Evansdale Police Department at (319) 232-6682 or the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office at (319) 291-2515 or the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at 1-800-346-5507.
For information on donations, contact the First Security Bank in Evansdale at (319) 235-6731.
The flyer reads:
Elizabeth Collins, (left) and Lyric Cook, (right) were last seen riding their bikes on July 13, 2012. Their bikes were later found near Meyers Lake in Evansdale. Collins purse and cell phone was found on the other side of the fence nearby where their bikes were located. Collins in 4’1″ tall, weighs about 80 pounds, has sandy hair, blue eyes and her birthday is 7/31/2003. Collins was last seen wearing a white shirt, shorts and black tennis shoes or high tops. Cook is 4’11” tall, weighs 145 pounds, has brown chin-length hair, tanned skin, blue eyes and a mole on the back of their neck the size of a dime. Cook’s birth date is 10/2/2001. She was last seen wearing a light green shirt, shorts and black flip flops that when together, form a Sesame Street character. A $5,000 Reward has been offered for their safe return. If you have any information, call the Evansdale Police Department at (319) 232-6682 or contack the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office at (319) 291-2515. www.facebook.com/missingcases.
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Rick wouldn’t have done this if not for free publicity – he’s all about his company. If he was truly doing this out of concern for these girls, then why have the story made public? Good job turning it around to make yourself look good, Rick – good job indeed.
Good job, Taco John’s! I wish there were a way for the big Interstate chains to do this with a flyer of multiple missing regional people.