Garner man arrested for kidnapping after incident in Mason City store, had previously been convicted in 1981 kidnapping

MASON CITY — A Garner man previously convicted in a 1981 Mason City kidnapping, rape and attempted murder case who was granted parole eight years ago has been arrested once again on kidnapping charges after an incident at a Mason City grocery store.

The Mason City Police Department says they were called shortly after 1:15 Wednesday to the Aldi Grocery Store at 520 Village Green Drive in response to an attempted kidnapping. Officers on arrival learned that a male wearing a disguise had attempted to abduct a female while displaying a weapon. They were able to obtain preliminary information from the victim and witnesses, with a suspect and vehicle located a short time later in Hancock County.

60-year-old Blair Greiman was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping, a Class B felony. He’s being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance.

Greiman was 16 when he attacked an 18-year-old woman in the K-Mart parking lot in Mason City in 1981, with a jury convicting him of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree sexual abuse and attempted murder. He was sentenced to life in prison, but was eventually granted parole in September 2017 after the United States Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that life sentences without the opportunity for parole for juveniles was unconstitutional.

Police thank bystanders and witnesses who assisted the victim and were able to provide information to officers. Anyone with more information about this incident is asked to contact the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636.