Man given probation for armed robbery
Prosecutor surprised with judge’s decision
Although he could have been sentenced to a prison term or time in jail, the Yuma man who committed an armed robbery inside a Walmart store six months ago didn’t receive either.
Instead, 26-yearold Abraham Castillo, who appeared out of custody with his attorney, Michael Donovan, was sentenced by Yuma County Su- perior Court Judge Brandon Kinsey to 48 months of supervised probation Wednesday morning.
Castillo, who posted a $10,000 bond, pleaded guilty to an amended count of attempted armed robbery in a plea agreement with prosecutors last month. He had been charged with one count of armed robbery, but in return for his plea of guilty, it was dismissed.
Prosecutor Tom Varela of the Yuma County Attorney’s Office also expressed his surprise at the sentence, saying the armed robbery involved a significant loss of money and put at least one clerk in fear for her life.
He went on to say that there was nothing in Castillo’s plea offer that prevented the court from imposing jail time as part of his probation.
Judge Kinsey explained to Castillo that the reason he was given probation was that he did not have a previous criminal record. He also urged Castillo to carefully consider the choices he makes in life going forward.
Before sentencing, Donovan also asked for a restitution hearing, informing the court that the amount included in the plea agreement had never been substantiated. As such, he requested that records verifying the amount of money lost in the robbery be turned over.
Judge Kinsey granted Donovan’s request and scheduled a hearing on the matter for 2:30 p.m. Sept. 26.
According to Yuma police, at about 8:15 p.m. May 28, officers responded to a report of threats with a weapon at the Walmart located at 2501 S. Avenue B.
The initial investigation revealed a male subject entered the business and walked up to the Money Center inside the store, The suspect indicated he had a weapon and demanded money from the associate, police said.
Afterward he fled the store and left the area in an unknown vehicle. Castillo, who matched the description of the robber, was located at 4:24 a.m. the following morning in the 2300 block of 8th Avenue and was arrested without incident.