Mason City man charged with robbery

MASON CITY — A Mason City man is in jail on a robbery charge.

A criminal complaint accuses 33-year-old John Murphy assaulted a male at an apartment in the 200 block of 3rd Northwest on June 4th. Murphy allegedly told the victim to empty his pockets, take off his pants, and to remove his backpack and give it to him.

While the victim was doing that, Murphy is accused of punching the victim in the face multiple times, causing swelling and cuts to the face. Murphy then kept the pants, cell phone, backpack and the contents of the backpack which included various items including clothes.

Murphy was arrested on Friday on a warrant for first-degree robbery, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. He’s being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $25,000 cash-only bond.

He’s due in court for his preliminary hearing on July 21st.