MASON CITY – Shortly before 9pm Thursday evening, Mason City police converged on a residence located at 820 North Polk Avenue on a report that 23-year-old Kevin Dean Bridges was inside. Bridges was arrested at the location without incident.
According to Cerro Cordo County property tax records the home is owned by Bridges’ mother Cynthia K McGowan. Posts on Cynthia McGowan’s Facebook page hint she may have provided the tips to law enforcement after Kevin spent the last 6 months on the run.
Last week the Mason City Police Department issued an advisory stating hiding people wanted on warrants could lead to criminal charges.
Bridges had been wanted since July 23rd, 2012 after he left Beje Clark and never returned. Following his absence from the facility a warrant was issued for 719.4(3) voluntary absence (escape) and a probation violation in a burglary case.
Bridges had been sent to Beje Clark in February of 2012 after he received a deferred judgment for two burglaries he committed on local businesses. The 1st burglary was committed at Hart Brothers South, a gun shop that has since moved to a new location. The 2nd burglary was committed at Gobeli Tax Service. Bridges committed both burglaries on February 2nd, 2011. Both locations were a couple blocks from his mother’s house where he was found Thursday.
Bridges is currently being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail for one serious misdemeanor count of 719.4(3) Voluntary Absence (escape), and a probation revocation application on his deferred judgment on a class C felony count of 713.5 2nd Degree Burglary. In addition Beje Clark has placed a no bond hold on Bridges.
If convicted of the voluntary absence charge Bridges could face up to one year in prison. If his deferred judgment and probation is revoked in the burglary case Bridges could face an additional 10 years in prison.
Court records show Kevin Bridges started his criminal career with a 2004 as a juvenile in Hardin County when he was charged with a class D felony count of 714.2(2) 2nd Degree Theft, alleging he had stolen between $1,000 and $10,000 in property from a victim. Following the arrest Bridges was held in a juvenile shelter before being adjudicated and put on probation.
Two months after turning 18 Bridges was arrested in Woodbury County, Iowa for an aggravated domestic abuse assault while displaying a weapon charge. Bridges later plea bargained the charge to an aggravated misdemeanor count of 708.2(1) Assault with Intent to Inflict Serious Injury, receiving one year of probation and 90 days in jail. Bridges violated probation 2 times before it was revoked and he was sentenced to an additional 120 days in jail.
While out on pre-trial release on the burglary case, Bridges was arrested by a Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department for possession of meth, after a deputy checked on a suspicious vehicle occupied by Bridges. In that case he was convicted and received 2 days in jail.
Court dates for the voluntary absence and the probation revocation proceedings remain unset at this time.
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
