Woman unexpectedly goes on worst first date ever, becomes getaway driver for armed robber
A Massachusetts woman unknowingly became a getaway driver for a man who met her on a dating app and subsequently robbed a bank, according to CNN.
Earlier this month, the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office announced that Christopher Castillo, the woman’s date, pleaded guilty to armed robbery and three counts of assault and battery on an officer, nearly four years following the incident on Dec. 5, 2016.
The woman told authorities that she had picked Castillo up from his parents’ home in Chepachet, R.I., and drove toward North Attleboro, Mass. On the way there, Castillo allegedly drank wine, she said. When the two reached North Attleboro, Castillo reportedly told the woman to make a stop at the Bristol County Savings Bank branch.
The district attorney’s office said Castillo then walked into the bank, showed the teller a gun and demanded $1,000. After the teller complied, Castillo ran out of the bank with sunglasses, a hat, a gun and $1,000, the woman told police. He then instructed his date to step on the gas.
The woman, who had never met Castillo before, said she panicked and drove until she spotted sirens and police cars behind her. She pulled over and left her car, while Castillo remained inside, according to CNN.
When law enforcement attempted to apprehend Castillo, he “violently struggled” and spit on officers, the district attorney’s office noted. Police were able to restrain him and searched the car, where they found a .44 caliber handgun that belonged to Castillo’s stepfather, the hat and sunglasses. They also discovered $1,000 in cash in Castillo’s wallet.
Almost four years after the robbery, Castillo was sentenced to three years in state prison for the robbery and two years in the Bristol County House of Corrections for his aggressive encounter with the officers, the district attorney’s office said.
