Lang
8/10/25
A Des Moines man accused of robbing an Iowa City convenience store has reached a plea deal.
Surveillance video reportedly shows 35-year-old Alejandro Hurtado Vela walking into the East Benton Street Casey’s on the night of December 29th, 2024 while carrying a handgun in his right hand. He allegedly grabbed a lighter display and dropped the handgun on the floor. When Hurtado Vela reached down to pick up the handgun, a member of the staff tried to get his attention. Hurtado Vela then allegedly turned to the employee while holding the handgun in his left hand and the lighter display in his right hand, and told the staff member to “shut the f— up” followed by a racial slur. He then reportedly left the store and fled in a vehicle.
Hurtado Vela was arrested the next month and charged with 2nd Degree Robbery, a Class C Felony punishable by a prison term of up to ten years if convicted. Terms of the plea deal are not listed, but a charge of Aggravated Theft has been added to court documents in the case. That charge carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail. The original robbery charge carries a ten-year maximum sentence.
A sentencing date is not listed.