Justice? Woman who robbed bank out of prison in just one year

MASON CITY – A woman who along with another man robbed a Mason City bank in 2012 is out of prison on parole after serving just one year.

Emily Elizabeth Francis, 31, formerly of Mason City but now claiming to live in Manly, was an accomplice in the February 3rd, 2012 robbery of the 1st Citizens Bank in downtown Mason City.  Police have said that just a few minutes before the bank was robbed, a “vague” bomb threat was called into Newman School, potentially diverting police from the bank location.

Francis was later arrested and charged with felony C second degree robbery, felony D submitting false reports to police, and felony D threat of terrorism.  Francis then proceeded to plead guilty to felony second degree robbery and felony D false reports for which she was sentenced to 10 years and 5 years in prison, concurrently.  The felony charge of terrorism was thrown out of court.  She was ordered to pay Iowa courts $8,312.87 in costs, fees and restitution – she has paid $707.57 so far, records show.

Francis was sent to prison in June of 2012 and then released in June of 2013 and has been seen recently working at a Mason City Hardee’s restaurant after working at a Taco John’s.

Tuesday evening, Cerro Gordo county sheriff Kevin Pals said that Francis is wanted at this time for violating her parole from prison. He asked that anyone with information on Francis’ whereabouts call their local law enforcement agency.