Suspect robs South Congress store, assaults owner with metal sign

A woman has been arrested after she stole from a local boutique and assaulted the owner with a metal sign she had taken from a separate store. 

Officers with the Austin Police Department were called to Co-Star in the 1700 block of South Congress Avenue shortly before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4 for a robbery. The suspect was described as a white female wearing a white shirt and grey pants and was found shortly after at the 7 Eleven in the 2100 block of South Congress Avenue. 

She has been identified as 29-year-old Eva Dianne Castro.

Police officers spoke with the owner of Co-Star, who said Castro had entered her store with a metal sign and began looking around. Castro took a hat priced at $33.00 and walked out of the store, past the final point of sale without paying for the hat. 

The owner followed Castro outside and began yelling, "give me the hat back."

Castro began swinging the metal sign at the owner, striking her on the wrist. 

The owner said Castro continued to swing the metal sign multiple times at her in a threatening manner. Employees from a nearby barbershop assisted in stopping the assault, according to the owner.

Castro was taken into custody and charged with robbery, a level two offense.