Sentencing handed out for Wild Rose ATM theft, bench warrant issued
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story initially appeared in the June 30 edition of the Jefferson Herald.
Two of the three offenders in January case of a stolen ATM have been sentenced, while a bench warrant has already been issued for one of the criminals.
Richard Harris, 53 of Marshalltown, was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison for first degree theft of an ATM, according to court documents. A bench warrant has been issued for his accomplice, Jorge Palacios, who was handed probation but no prison time. He has yet to appear for a probation meeting.
Back on Jan. 28, a trio of out-of-towners entered the promenade of Wild Rose Casino around 5:44 a.m. The threesome, later identified as Richard Harris, Jorge Palacios and an unidentified subject transported an ATM on a hand cart and loaded it onto a white, 2002 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck, which was stolen from a person in Boone County.
Harris was identified by law enforcement thanks to surveillance video from his appearance at the casino a day prior on Jan. 27 when he sought restitution for winning a jackpot. He not only provided identification to Wild Rose staff, but Harris was seen wearing the same clothing he wore during the theft – a black shirt with a white long sleeve shirt underneath. Harris was seen on video shaking the ATM on Jan. 27.
The getaway Chevy truck, which featured stolen plates out of Dallas County, was abandoned in the 1800 block of Redwood Avenue after the truck had run out of gas.
Harris, Palacios, and Steven Curvin were seen driving near the area of Redwood Avenue the next day on Jan. 29 in a maroon, 1990 GMC truck complete with a car dolly trailer. A law enforcement officer later performed a traffic stop on the vehicle on Highway 169 a shade south of Ogden.
After a brief search of the vehicle and its passengers, Harris was found with $1,700 on his person in his front left pocket while Jorge Palacios was found with $11,600 in his coat sleeves and pockets, court documents show. Curvin was also present with the duo, and told officers of the stolen ATM at his home in Story City.
CURVIN LEADS COPS TO ATM
Curvin was interviewed at the seen on Jan. 29 and later led officers to his home in Story City. He provided physical proof of the Wild Rose Casino ATM in his possession at a shop adjacent to his home as well as an ATM that was believed to be taken from the Cerro Gordo County fairgrounds near Mason City area, also allegedly stolen by Harris and Palacios.
Curvin was charged with first degree theft out of Story County. His trial has yet to reach a completion. A motion for continuance was requested on June 24.
Curvin has been connected to theft in the past. He was found guilty of second degree theft in 2020 in Boone County, charged with being an accomplice to a stolen vehicle. His five year prison sentence was suspended in April of 2021.
Harris took the Wild Rose ATM to Curvin’s home in January, hoping to have him break in. The Wild Rose ATM was “destroyed” thanks to the use of a grinder and pry bars, court documents say. The ATM was holding $14,204 of cash.
HARRIS SENTENCED BY COURTS
Harris eventually pled guilty to first degree theft while his original charges of second degree theft and second degree criminal mischief were dismissed. He was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison and to pay a fine of $1,370 on Monday, June 20. Harris was also ordered to pay Wild Rose Casino $13,400.
Harris’ sentencing was likely aided by his previous criminal convictions. He has also been found guilty of operating while intoxicated three separate times, driving while under suspension, boating while under the influence three separate times and possession of marijuana. Harris was also found guilty of meth possession in a correctional facility in Bremer County in 2019.
PALACIOS VIOLATES PROBATION
A bench warrant has been issued for Harris’ accomplice, Jorge Palacios, court documents say.
Palacios was originally charged and arrested for first and second degree theft, second degree criminal mischief and violation of probation. The charges for second degree theft and second degree criminal mischief were dismissed in May.
Palacios pled guilty to first degree theft on March 11.
He was ordered to serve a sentence not to exceed 10 years on May 9, though the entire sentence was suspended and Palacios was placed on probation for a “period of two to five years.” He was ordered to pay Wild Rose Casino $11,600 and was fined $1,370.
Palacios didn’t take long to stir up trouble, missing several of his probation meetings since the sentencing.
A bench warrant for Palacios was issued on June 19 following a request to revoke his probation, believing there is probable cause he has violated the terms of his probation. Bond has been set at $20,000, cash only.
Palacios did not show up for his most recent probation meeting on June 14. Court documents say the probation officer does not know where Palacios is. He had missed his three previously scheduled meetings after stating he “forgot” about a meeting on May 23, then he said he couldn’t get a ride for the June 6 meeting date. Palacios was supposed to meet with a probation officer in Marshalltown, but never showed.
Palacios had previously been convicted for possession of methamphetamine in 2019 in Santa Barbara, California and was sentenced to five years of probation. A line in the original probation settlement read Palacios could not reside outside of the county or the state of California without the permission of his parole officer.
Palacios was also charged with a felony in 2005 in California and was sentenced to 120 days in jail, which was reduced to 46 days. Palacios attempted to transfer his probation to Marshalltown, but was denied because he failed to meet with his current probation officer. Court documents show Palacios’ whereabouts are “currently unknown.”