Plea change hearing set for Northwood man accused of Mason City burglary, robbery

MASON CITY — A plea change hearing has been scheduled for a Northwood man accused of burglary and robbery after an incident in Mason City in September.

A criminal complaint filed in Cerro Gordo County District Court accuses 25-year-old Jose Martinez of entering an unlocked apartment in the zero block of 9th Street Northeast on the afternoon of September 7th without permission or consent.

Martinez allegedly stood over the occupant of the apartment while he was sleeping, holding a handgun that was later determined to be fake, in an attempt to intimidate the victim. Martinez then took money and fled from the apartment.

Martinez was later arrested and charged with first-degree burglary, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison, as well as second-degree robbery, a Class C felony.

Martinez’s trial was scheduled to start on November 18th, but court records show that a plea change hearing has now been set for November 17th in Cerro Gordo County District Court.