Former Mason City restaurant manager accused of stealing money to plead guilty

MASON CITY — A plea change hearing is set for the former general manager of a Mason City restaurant accused of stealing money from the business.

37-year-old Ryan Alitz was arrested on March 16th and charged with first-degree theft, a Class C felony punishable by up to ten years in prison. A criminal complaint says Alitz is accused of stealing more than $15,000 while working at Papa Murphy’s Pizza between July and December of last year. The complaint says Alitz failed to make multiple bank deposits into the business’ account.

Alitz had filed a written plea of not guilty in April, but court records show District Judge Gregg Rosenbladt approved scheduling a plea change hearing for July 5th in Cerro Gordo County District Court.