Fufstedler

Nearly two months after a string of burglaries in Dike and Reinbeck, including two Dike banks where the thieves attempted to remove the ATMs, two Mason City men have been arrested in connection with the incidents.

Ryan Marek, 30, was arrested in Garner on a Grundy County warrant on March 1 and charged with one count of second degree burglary, a Class C felony, three counts of third degree burglary, each a Class D felony, second degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony, operation without owners’ consent, an aggravated misdemeanor, third degree attempted burglary, an aggravated misdemeanor, and possession of burglar tools, an aggravated misdemeanor. Marek remained in jail on a $90,000 cash or corporate surety bond.

Brandon Hufstedler, age 36, is being held at the Cerro Gordo County Jail on unrelated charges while awaiting transport to Grundy County. For the Grundy County thefts, he faces one count of second degree burglary, a Class C felony, three counts of third degree burglary, each a Class D felony, one count of second degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony, one count of operation without owners’ consent, an aggravated misdemeanor, third degree attempted burglary, an aggravated misdemeanor and possession of burglar tools, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Marek’s initial appearance in Grundy County District Court has been set for March 11, and because Hufstedler has not been formally charged yet, information on his court appearances is not available.

On Jan. 5, the sheriff’s office was first called to a burglary in progress at a residence in Dike. When the deputy arrived to investigate, the back door was found kicked in and evidence showed someone had entered the home.

Marek

While deputies were investigating the residential burglary they discovered another burglary at Fidelity Bank and Trust on Main Street in Dike. No money was found to be stolen during the bank break-in, and three other locations in Dike experienced burglaries or attempted break-ins on the same morning.

A City of Dike shop was broken into, and a maintenance truck was stolen — though it was later abandoned and recovered. Dike manufacturer Delta McKenzie Targets reported a burglary, and across the road on 160th Street, an attempt was made to break into an outdoor ATM at Peoples Savings Bank.

In Reinbeck, another burglary was reported at the Memorial Building with only petty cash and liquor missing, and law enforcement officials said they believed the incidents were related.