Antonio Aguilar


Angel Rodriguez

Two Columbus Junction men are in the Johnson County Jail awaiting trial on multiple charges including kidnapping and robbery, stemming from an incident Sunday morning. Twenty-two-year-old Antonio Aguilar and 19-year-old Angel Rodriguez were arrested in Iowa City. Both men are being charged with 1st degree robbery and 2nd degree kidnapping, class B felonies. Aguilar is also charged with operating while intoxicated, 2nd offense, and driving while license barred, aggravated misdemeanors. The men are in police custody, with a $54,000 bond for Aguilar, and $100,000 bond for Rodriguez. They have had their initial appearance in court, and the preliminary hearings will be on December 14th for Aguilar, and December 15th for Rodriguez. Both men will be represented by public defenders.

According to the Iowa City Police Department, an adult female accepted a ride from Aguilar and Rodriguez. After a short time, one of the men pointed a black handgun at her, and demanded money. She complied and the suspects stole an undisclosed amount of cash and property. She was able to escape with minor injuries by opening the car door and jumping out of the moving vehicle, after which they drove off. The Iowa City Police Department responded to a call from the woman just after 5:30 a.m. While she was giving her report, a vehicle matching the given description drove by officers, who initiated a traffic stop in the 300 block of Burlington Street. The woman, whose identity has not been made public, was able to positively identify Aguilar and Rodriguez. Evidence of the robbery, including the black handgun, was found in the suspects’ vehicle.