MASON CITY – An alleged incident at the Mason City Walmart in which a mother and daughter were followed, bothered and frightened by up to 5 non-English-speaking white men has been investigated by police.
The incident was described on Facebook by a local woman, and the post was shared hundreds of times.
NIT asked police to look into the matter, and they offered some information.
The following is the police response to the alleged incident:
The Mason City Police Department has looked into an incident that occurred at Wal-Mart, 4151 4th Street SW on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at approximately 6:30 p.m. The details of the incident, which have been widely shared via social media, were investigated by MCPD. At this time, we do not believe that there was a criminal incident occurring. We are still interested in talking to anyone who may have further information about this incident. Please call Criminal Investigation Division Lieutenant Rich Jensen, at 641-421-3636 if you have information.
It is important to understand that the women who reported this incident were paying attention to their surroundings and felt that something wasn’t right. They also sought help from store employees and were assisted in making sure they were safe when they departed from the store. They were proactive about their safety and we encourage everyone to pay attention to their surroundings at all times.
We want to take this opportunity to encourage our community to call the Mason City Police Department and report when they see circumstances that are unusual or suspicious. Officers have a better opportunity to make a timely intervention when called to an incident when as is occurring, instead of after it has happened. We realize that isn’t always possible.
When incidents are reported to law enforcement officials afterward, it takes additional time and resources to try to identify the parties involved. When we can respond to immediately, it often allows us to resolve the incident in the most efficient manner and in the least amount of time.
As you go about your daily routine, remember to report suspicious behavior. The “see something, say something” approach is the right answer. We are looking forward to continuing to partner with our community to keep Mason City safe.
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The following is the description of the incident, as shared on social media by a local woman:
I want to share a very frightening experience that occurred this evening with my adult daughter at our local Walmart while we were shopping. This was in our home town of Mason City, Iowa. Unfortunately, this is one popular forum to at least make others in our community aware that potential risk is present.
Within a few minutes of entering the store my daughter started getting more attention than usual from male shoppers every few aisle, more direct, and not casual glances. As we continued shopping and approached the grocery area it was very apparent it was not random men noticing her.
This was very well orchestrated and became more forward as out time in the store lengthened.
It began with on man coming down our aisle standing near her, staring at her, smiling, and moving on. Then a different man in the next aisle. Then one of the first two men showed up with a third in another and openly stared, smiled, stood intimidatingly close behind her, gestured between themselves and toward a forth man on a phone constantly. The first three men rotated through this routine the entire grocery section. The forth man began following her at the back of the store and each time we move up an aisle he moved forward- BUT, he remained across the center area between the grocery and clothing/jewelry areas. Just keep creeping up, making gestures, and nods to the other 3 than continued to take turns walking up behind her.
As we went to check out, the first 3 men also went to check out one lane from us. The forth man moved locations to keep her in his sight while remaining on the phone. The 3 men began to gesture more freely at her from the check out lane and attempted to smirk, speak between themselves, look toward the forth man walking out of the check out lane to get his attention. A fifth man that we had not noticed prior then joined the 3 men in the check out lane along with the 4th that had remained following from a short distance on the phone.
We checked out and walked toward the entrance waiting to decide what we needed to do with the situation. This was at least 25 minutes of this repeatedly occurring while shopping/checking out. My daughter and I both gave direct looks, body language, and comments that usually shut down inappropriate crap like this, but it just seemed to almost challenge the situation. The 5 men were all white, about 30 average looking blue collar men that did not speak English, and we were not able to determine any possible language. They spoke very quietly when near use and purposely did not raise their voices. Language barriers was also verified with one manager that assisted one man in the electronic department.
We waited at the store entrance to determine what the 5 men were going to do. They stood in 2 groups, one of 2, one of 3. The group of 3 were attempting to engage her with HI and standing around her, the other 2 just keep watching. I stood next to my daughter and it was as if I was not there. We got some of the staff’s attention and after another 5 minutes, the 3 men went out the exit and stood outside. The other 2 men split up again, eventually exiting after another 10 or so. Management staff then watched and waited for them to get in the SUV and leave the premises, which took about 20 minutes. They did escort us out so my daughter was safe.
We did notify the Mason City Police Department, but after the fact. Fear, bewilderment, and concern in the middle of the situation for my daughter didn’t lead me to making the call to the police first. But, please be aware, this was structured, intimidating, subtle, and progressive in how it played out. I fear what could of …..
Please share as needed, make our young women aware and 911 would be the best first response to take. My daughter and I are very appreciative our of local Walmart staff that assisted with this situation.
Kick the shit out of the wise azzes – then call the coppers.
I assume/ presume that one of the harassed or store employee wrote down the license plate number of the azzholes – but that would be to politally correct to do anymore because the perp did not speak english and are much more protected than our home grown citizens. By the way this IS a form of harrassment and anyone telling you differnet is a dimm-wit.
I hope she will get a carry permit – enough of this bs – if you are grabbed in the parking lot just defend yourself and drive away – plenty of crows around to clean the bones.
Rolled out of this place the other day as young man canvased the parking lot back and forth with a cell phone in hand looking for your opened door. Could be wrong. But he was from another ‘hood.
Part of the Greek Gang from Clear Lake.
It would take one of those on-line law school dropout types to notice something like this. Too bad this basement dwelling, tire mess leaving dolt didn’t notify the proper authorities so they could have checked out the person from another hood.
My son and his friends used to go to Walmart and pretend to be from another country. They would talk nonsense to one another, get on their phones and speak their ‘language’ and follow cute girls around the store. Im not saying that is what happened here but it could be a few guys acting out. Most N. Iowans know what Spanish sounds like and the ‘men’ were white.
So, did you approve of your son doing that shit? I assume you don’t have a daughter, or you would (most likely) have a better grasp of this situation. I hope WalMart has some video that will be helpful. Jeez..this is Mason City..this is real life..remember Jodi?
Yeah i was fine with it. Teenage boys have fun and sometimes it is weird.
It’s a good way to get shot.
Obviously the lady was very scared for her daughter.
geeze all they were doing is asking how and where to vote Democrat so they can stay in this country
u r 1 sick puppy
They were Russian, it’s not a big deal Trump would pardon then.
You get your news from The Onion?
This is how things roll in Russia. Middle east counties are way worst. It is important to realize the world does not change overnight nor will it. The traditional roles of men and women are firmly in place. So, one suspects when viewing America’s over the top sex appeal compared to the rest of the world’s modesty it is a invitation to indulge in a host of bad behaviors. We are the ‘Wild West’ in their eyes. Be safe.
Remember a few years ago when everyone was crying about Target changing their policys on gender??
Well, looks like maybe Wal-Mart isn’t so safe either!!
Nothing more reassuring than using the restroom at Wal-mart and being greeted by a wall full of missing children posters….Those are probably all the children that have been kidnapped from other Wal-Marts.
Women have conditioned men for many decades about beauty and how important their looks are with make-up, dresses and everything else. But now we get scolded and called names when we get caught looking.
Not long from now we will be forced to no longer rely on a womans looks for attraction so we will look for other traits such as brains and it will be okay for a while until women get tired of being objectified for “their brains” and it will all start over again….
The thing is, it is in our genes to be big dumb ogres and take what we desire. We can’t really help it for the most part. We know we are expected to act a certain way and to make good choices but we still have natural impulses. Think of a cave man who would club a woman over the head and bring her back to his cave.
We really haven’t changed that much, yet everyone gets surprised when we act they way. The same can be said for any “animal” that gets domesticated, such as when a dog bites someone. Thats just mother nature for you.
LOL
Next time make sure your adult daughter is wearing clothes…
This can go one of two ways.
Either they were rapists or just guys being guys.
So the only way to be safe is really to no longer approach women these days because anything can be considered a “crime” in the eyes of the internet.
Guys, if you’re out with some buddies and you see some cute girls, better just stay away!!
Why don’t they just look on the surveillance cameras . Sometimes you even wonder if these incidents are even true it’s been reported about target as well but Noone seems to want to go look back on the cameras if they did it would be solved.
I wondered about that too. I hope we hear some follow-up.