This Guy Robbed a Bank on a First Date, and She Was the Getaway Driver
A woman met Christopher Castillo through a dating app and agreed to pick him up at his parents’ home in Rhode Island on December 5, 2016. They had never met in person before that day. According to court records, Castillo drank wine in the passenger seat during the drive, something that stood out later when police reconstructed the timeline.
About 30 minutes into the drive, without warning or explanation, Castillo asked her to pull over near a bank in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. He exited the car and went inside while she waited, assuming this was a quick stop before continuing their plans. Unbeknownst to her, a crime was about to happen.
Inside The Bank
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Castillo entered a branch of Bristol County Savings Bank and approached a teller while showing a handgun. Prosecutors said he demanded $1,000 and told the teller he was “really hurting” and needed the money. The teller complied, and Castillo left the bank with the cash and ran back to the waiting car.
The woman later told police that when he returned, he was sweating, wearing accessories he did not have moments earlier, and holding both a gun and the money. He ordered her to drive. Panicked and unsure how to respond, she pulled away.
The Shortest Getaway On Record
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Police in North Attleboro quickly spotted the car and followed it. When the woman noticed flashing lights behind her, she pulled over and got out of the vehicle. Officers found Castillo still inside. He resisted arrest, struggled with police, and spat at officers during the confrontation.
After restraining him, police recovered a .44 caliber handgun, a hat, sunglasses that matched witness descriptions, and the stolen cash. Investigators later learned the firearm was an antique owned by a family member, which affected some of the charges tied to the weapon.
Why She Was Not Charged
Despite briefly driving the car after the robbery, the woman faced no criminal charges. Authorities determined she acted under pressure and fear rather than as a willing participant. Her decision to stop the car as soon as she recognized police presence supported that conclusion.
Legal experts often point out that intent matters in cases involving alleged accomplices. In this situation, prosecutors found no evidence that she knew about the robbery beforehand or helped plan it.
The Sentence And The Aftermath
Castillo pleaded guilty to armed robbery and multiple counts of assault and battery on a police officer. The court sentenced him to a total of five years of incarceration, split between state prison and a county house of corrections.
For the woman, the consequences were less formal but still significant. A first date that escalated into a felony left her with a story few people would believe without court documents to back it up.