Mason City Man in Custody Following Thursday (03.26) Standoff, Shelter-In-Place Order Lifted

A standoff involving a north Iowa man with four prior assault convictions and wanted on two new assault charges, ended Thursday (03.26) evening with the suspect in custody.

Mason City Police (MCPD) responded to the 200 block of 8th Street Southeast in an attempt to arrest 32-year-old Cory Craig. Upon arrival at about 4 pm Thursday, MCPD says Craig refused to surrender, prompting officers to establish a perimeter around the home. 

Due to concerns the suspect may have been armed, multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the North Iowa Special Operations Group, as authorities worked to safely resolve the situation. Nearby residents were asked to shelter in place as a precaution.

At approximately 5:30 pm, officers arrested Craig without incident. No injuries were reported. Following the arrest, authorities lifted the shelter-in-place advisory for nearby residents.

Craig was wanted for domestic abuse assault – third or subsequent offense, a Class D felony, and willful injury causing serious injury, a Class C felony. Charges stem from alleged incidents between March 16th and 18th in which Craig is accused of strangling a female victim to unconsciousness and hitting her in the face causing a broken jaw that required surgery.

Craig is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $17,000 cash bond.

Also assisting at the scene were the Mason City Fire and Street Departments, Iowa State Patrol Negotiation Team, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, and Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office.

Court records show Craig with prior assault convictions in 2003, 2007, 2009 and 2021.