MASON CITY – A day after a Mason City home invasion set off a city-wide alert to remain indoors, police are continuing the hunt for what they call an armed suspect who apparently slipped away – for now.
According to an update from Mason City police in connection to Monday’s home burglary incident, the initial reports of the burglary investigation indicated that the suspect was still present inside the residence when the homeowner reported the crime.
Based on the information available to officers at the time, there was a belief that the suspect was likely armed with a firearm. The area was secured by additional law enforcement personnel to contain the suspect and limit any risk to public safety. The initial Alert Iowa message went out at this time, warning residents across town to stay infoors. A follow-up message that limited the area for the alert to the 800 block of 4th Street SE followed a short time later.
Officers were able to get the homeowner to the scene and verified that a burglary had occurred and that the suspect had left the scene prior to the arrival of the responding personnel. The residence was searched and secured and officers are working on identifying the suspect.
The Mason City Police Department was assisted on this incident by the Iowa State Patrol, the Garner Police Department, and the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force Special Operations Group (SOG).