Mason City man third person arrested after Clear Lake construction site theft

CLEAR LAKE — A Mason City man who authorities say is part of the case of construction tools being stolen from a Clear Lake work site in July has been arrested.

Law enforcement took a report on July 25 of over $15,000 worth of concrete construction tools being taken from an enclosed cargo trailer parked at the intersection of North Shore Drive and Sunset View Drive in Clear Lake owned by Shane Monson Construction. A criminal complaint says video footage acquired from a nearby building shows a male exiting a vehicle and approaching the trailer, with the male taking two trips to the trailer, returning once with a heavy bag on his back, with the car picking him up next to the trailer the second time.

33-year-old Cole Pearce was arrested earlier this week by Mason City police on charges of first-degree theft and third-degree burglary connected to the construction theft case. When he was arrested, he was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with official acts, and third offense possession of a controlled substance. He’s being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on a total of $32,000 cash-only bond and is due in court for his preliminary hearing on September 18th.

Two other people in the case are awaiting their trials. 31-year-old Kianna Sampson of Clear Lake is accused of being the driver of the vehicle and has pleaded not guilty to first-degree theft and conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony.

35-year-old Derek Demory was charged with first-degree theft and possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver meth after authorities say he admitted Pearce gave him the tools in exchange for paying back rent.