MASON CITY, IA - It started with a stolen vehicle, continued with a bomb threat and ended with a mid-afternoon downtown bank robbery. Now Mason City Police believe they know who is responsible.
One of those people is already in custody and police hope to have a second one soon.
“Information that tied a Mason City resident by the name of Allen Penhollow to the stolen truck, Newman bomb threat and bank robbery was developed by Mason City investigators, said Capt. Mike McKelvey, Mason City Police Department.
Penhollow, 32, of Mason City, is facing theft, robbery, arson and terrorism charges. All are felonies all relating to last week's event.
“Investigators found Mr. Penhollow was in the Des Moines area so Des Moines law enforcement and the FBI were alerted down there. They located Mr. Penhollow and was taken into custody by the FBI and Mason City investigators without incident,” said McKelvey.
But police say Penhollow didn't act alone. Investigators say evidence ties 29-year-old Emily Francis of Mason City to the bomb threat and bank robbery.
“Warrants will be applied for her for the bomb threat, bank robbery and terrorism as well,” said McKelvey.
Francis has not yet been arrested though police are confident she will be soon.
“The investigation still continues at this point these are the only two people we're going to have charges for at this time,” said McKelvey.
As this trifecta of crimes comes to a close police say they're thankful for the public's help.
“The Mason City Police Department does appreciate the help that local citizens, businesses and other agencies tried to provide during this investigation,” said McKelvey.
Penhollow is currently in the Cerro Gordo county jail on $5,000 cash bond. An initial court date has been scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17, at 8:30 a.m.
Online court records show Emily Francis was arrested in December 2011 on second degree theft charges for stealing two laptop computers and a projector from Mercy Medical Center North Iowa.
Des Moines Police and the FBI assisted Mason City Police with Wednesday’s arrest.
