MASON CITY – A Mason City woman who has found herself in trouble previously has been arrested after a domestic incident.
Police were called to 1302 South Penn Avenue Thursday morning after a call about a domestic incident. After an investigation, officers arrested 25-year-old Clare G. Birkedal on a charge of serious domestic assault. She is being held in the county jail on no bond until she sees a judge.
Last year, Birkedal was found guilty of harassment in the third degree after an incident at a Mason City retail store. According to police, Birkedal entered the MC Sports store, located at 452 Indianhead Drive, on December 18, 2013 at about 5:15 PM and asked for a specific employee there. When the employee came to wait on Birkedal, she allegedly began raising her voice in a confrontational manner and crowded the employee’s personal space. Birkedal was carrying a sweatshirt at this time which she then moved, revealing what appeared to be a firearm worn in a holster on her waist. It is believed that the agitated, confrontational manner of Birkedal combined with her allegedly showing the firearm or bb gun worn on her side at the same time was done with the intent to intimidate the employee. Police said that Birkedal never removed the firearm / bb gun or made a specific threat to use the firearm. She was arrested that evening and charged with 3rd degree harassment and was also banned from the store.
