Mason City man pleads guilty to burglary charge

MASON CITY – A guilty plea has been entered by a Mason City man to a burglary charge after an incident in May in which he injured a couple at their home.

Ben Duitscher, age 29, and his public defender entered a guilty plea on September 22 to the charge of first degree burglary. He awaits an October 13 plea change hearing connected to a first degree robbery charge in the same incident, which took place on May 31 at the 1500 block of South Coolidge. Duitscher was allegedly at a residence with another person. The pair is said to have robbed and assaulted the couple who resides at a residence there. The injuries were not serious, and both refused medical treatment after an ambulance arrived. Duitscher and the other person left prior to police arriving.

Duitcher will also face a trial on December 10, 2014 in Chickasaw county court on charges of interference with official acts causing serious injury, assault on a plaice officer, third offense drunk driving, driving without a license, and operating a vehicle without owner’s consent. The charges stem from an incident on Monday, July 7, when a report of a motor vehicle accident within the city of Fredericksburg occured. A Chickasaw County Deputy Sheriff responded.

During the investigation into the motor vehicle accident, a preliminary breath test was given to driver, who turned out to be Duitscher, which indicated the presence of alcohol. Duitscher struck the deputy with a closed fist to the face. While still in close proximity to Duitscher, the deputy responded and knocked Duitscher to the ground. The deputy sustained injury to his face, neck and hand. The deputy deployed his taser unit on Duitscher. Duitscher was able to flee the area.

Several law enforcement personnel were dispatched to the scene to assist in the search for Duitscher. Later that afternoon, after alerting the public of the situation via local media, Duitscher was apprehended near the Fredericksburg Municipal Pool area and jailed and remains in the Chickasaw County Jail. He later pled not guilty.