MASON CITY – Spending just one year in prison may have failed at rehabilitating a Mason City woman who helped rob a bank two years ago, as she was caught stealing Sunday evening at Wal-Mart.
Police were called to Wal-Mart on Sunday at about 5:28 PM after employees reported they had subjects detained for shoplifting. Andrew Buttshaw, age 33 of Mason City was arrested and charged with fourth degree theft. Emily Francis, age 31 also of Mason City, was arrested for third degree theft. Both were taken to jail. The value on the items allegedly stolen was $357.00.
Police said that Francis had multiple prior theft convictions so her charge was enhanced to third degree theft.
Francis was released from prison last summer after serving about a year for her part in a bank robbery and diversion of police that allowed her and another man to initially get away with the crime. Francis was an accomplice in the February 3rd, 2012 robbery of the 1st Citizens Bank in downtown Mason City. Police said in the hours that followed the robbery 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 still owes well over $12,000 in court fees and fines for the crimes.
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY
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