Three youths charged with theft after bolting from FLYS

MASON CITY – Three youths ran away from Francis Lauer Youth Services this week and were later apprehended miles away.

Mason City police confirmed that on the evening on July 1st at about 6:56 pm, personnel at Francis Lauer Youth Services (FLYS) reported to police that 17 year-old David Stoner had left the facility. Stoner returned a short time later with some merchandise that he had recently acquired while off the property. An officer spoke to Stoner, staff, and then took the merchandise to Wal-mart to get a price estimate. While the officer was at Wal-Mart, Stoner, 16 year-old Brandon L. Fester and 14 year-old Antwane J. Lee then ran from the FLYS property.

Officers were unable to locate the 3 juveniles for at least 1 day.  According to police, the three youths were also suspected in a theft reported at Kohl’s on July 1st at 10:36 pm.

After the three youths disappeared, they showed up on a state of Iowa website for missing persons.

On July 3rd, the three youths were caught by Northwood police – Stoner’s hometown – and returned to FLYS. All three were charged with 4th Degree Theft from Kohls and Stoner was also charged with 5th Degree Theft from Wal-Mart. The 3 males were booked at the jail but then released back to FLYS.