Men with firearm terrorize KIMT employee

MASON CITY – A KIMT employee will likely be having terrifying nightmares after two men pointed a firearm in his direction and made a threat, sending him fleeing into the TV station for safety.

Mason City police tell NIT that Monday morning, November 28 at 8:30 AM, an employee of KIMT TV reported a car followed him and then pulled up next to his vehicle as he got out in front of the business, located at 112 North Pennsylvania Avenue. Allegedly, a passenger in the vehicle, later identified as 18-year-old Jack Hovenga of Mason City, allegedly pointed a revolver at the male KIMT employee and made a verbal threat to use the weapon against the victim. The frightened man ran inside and called police while the suspect vehicle allegedly fled the scene northbound on Penn Avenue, in the direction of Hovenga’s home. A responding Mason City police officer observed a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description pull into 714 North Penn – the listed address for Hovenga. The officer pulled in to investigate as the driver exited the vehicle and ran inside the residence. The passenger started to exit also but the officer detained him (Hovenga). Back up units were dispatched. The driver, 36-year-old Brady Joe Hunt of Hampton, was found inside 714 North Penn, allegedly hiding in the basement. Hunt had a valid arrest warrant for Parole / Probation Revocation connected to a drug possession case. Hunt was arrested on the warrant.

Both Hovenga and Hunt were charged with Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon (Class D Felony) and 1st Degree Harassment (Aggrav Misdemeanor). Hovenga was also charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor)and Possess and Convey Contraband inside a Correctional Facility (Class D Felony). Hovenga allegedly had a small baggie of meth hidden on or about his person when taken to jail.

The weapon allegedly displayed ended up to be a very realistic revolver BB Gun.