Wanted Riceville man turns himself in on felony theft charge

MASON CITY – One of two Riceville, Iowa men who allegedly stole from the Mason City Wal-Mart Supercenter turned himself in to police this week.

Mason City police said that the two men, 19-year-old Chris Gansen and 21-year-old Jeremy Birchem, were arrested following a shoplifting investigation from Wal-Mart that was reported to police on September 17, 2013. The pair was accused of stealing $1,250 worth of merchandise.

On January 10, 2014, Gansen turned himself in at the jail for an arrest warrant for pretrial report of violation reference the  2nd degree theft. He is being held on $5,000 bond as he awaits a plea hearing in court on January 29th.

Birchem is awaiting trial on February 18th.