Iowa City woman who missed trial for string of thefts arrested

Hunter
06/30/21

An Iowa City woman who failed to appear for trial on June 15th for a string of thefts has been arrested.

Earlier this year on February 8th, 30-year-old Kristin Castillo of Mineral Point Lane was called in by staff at the L&M Mighty Shop on East Burlington Street for stealing items out of the store. She was found in the immediate area and matched the description given to police. Castillo was carrying a bag from the store and contained the same items that she allegedly stole from the store. The value of the items totaled under $300, and she was charged with 3rd degree theft.

On April 26th, Coralville police were called to the HyVee on 8th Street on reports of a shoplifter who had been trespassed from the store minutes before. Castillo was located on the property and reportedly returned to the store to steal another bottle of Black Velvet Whiskey. She allegedly passed all points of sale without attempting to pay for the item. She allegedly concealed the bottle in her pants. Castillo was placed under arrest but resisted officer attempts to handcuff her, and allegedly became “dead weight” when she was being taken to the squad car.

The next day, April 27th at around 3pm, Castillo is accused of taking a Red’s Apple Ale and a Diet Dr. Pepper from the Delimart on First Avenue in Coralville. Officers identified her from yesterday’s interactions and found that she had dumped the alcoholic beverage but was still holding the diet Dr. Pepper in her hand.

Later that day just after 6pm, Castillo was taken into custody after allegedly taking several items from the Casey’s General Store on the Coralville Strip. She told officers that she was extremely hungry and wanted to get food there.

Trial on the thefts was scheduled for June 15th, but Castillo failed to appear. A warrant was issued for her arrest, and she was taken into custody just after Midnight on Tuesday. If convicted on all counts against her, Castillo faces a maximum sentence of 28 months.