MASON CITY – A Thornton man was involved in a potentially explosive incident involving gasoline in a kitchen, and faces child endangerment charges.
Cerro Gordo deputies were called to 300 6th Street North in Thorton at 1:37 AM on November 3, 2015, for a domestic incident involving family members. Deputies arrived and investigated as a female left for the night. According to a report, 39-year-old Kevin Christopher Becker was involved in an argument with his girlfriend when he poured gasoline on his kitchen floor and threatened to burn the house down.
Becker was arrested for reckless use of fire. The Cerro Gordo county attorney later added two counts of child endangerment to his charges.
Becker entered a plea of not guilty. He now awaits a pretrial conference on February 8 and if no deal is struck there, a jury trial on February 23.
Additionally, Becker was allegedly involved in a heist at the Kohls department store in Mason City just a few days after his gasoline episode.
Mason City police and Cerro Gordo deputies arrived at Kohls department store, 556 Indianhead Drive, on the evening of November 9, 2015. Officers and deputies began searching for a male and female suspects who fled the store. Soon thereafter, deputies apprehended the pair in a vehicle and placed them under arrest. Taken to jail were Becker and 37-year-old Jill Ann Schwem, both of Thornton, on charges of theft in the third degree.  Police told NIT that the couple tried to steal two pairs of jeans valued at $106.00 total. “They did allegedly exit the store with merchandise concealed and without paying for both items,” police told NIT. “Theft charge was enhanced to 3rd Degree due to prior convictions.”
GUILTY
Schwem pleaded guilty this month in a deal with prosecutors to fifth-degree theft. She was sent to jail for two days and ordered to pay $225.00 in court fees.  Becker has pleaded not guilty and has pre-trial conference and trial dates set for February 8 and 23, respectively.
Becker has been accused of a number of felonies but always pled guilty to a lesser charge or the charge was dismissed, including burglary and drug dealing. Â He was guilty in August of 2015 of using abusive language and epithets with disorderly conduct.
