Lang
8/17/25
A central Iowa man has been fined and given credit for time served for his part in a reported Iowa City convenience store robbery.
Surveillance video reportedly shows 35-year-old Alejandro Hurtado Vela of Des Moines 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. Online records show he reached a plea deal earlier this month. The charge was reduced to Aggravated Theft and Judge Justin Lightfoot fined him $855 and gave him credit for jail time served.