Coralville Man Arrested for Assaulting Casey's Employee with Pizza Slices

49-year-old Aaron Kahler faces charges of Aggravated Theft, Assault, and Disorderly Conduct.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:20pm

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Coralville police have arrested a 49-year-old man named Aaron Kahler for allegedly assaulting a Casey's employee with pizza slices. Kahler was reportedly inside the Casey's on Hayden Fry Way on Sunday night when he got into a verbal altercation with an employee, then began throwing pizza slices around the store before leaving with two slices. He then allegedly threw those two slices at a pursuing employee and spit on them.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the potential for escalation of minor disputes, even over something as seemingly innocuous as pizza, and the need for de-escalation and conflict resolution training for retail employees who may face aggressive behavior from customers.

The details

According to the police report, Kahler was inside the Casey's convenience store just after 9:45 pm on Sunday when the verbal altercation with the employee occurred. Kahler then allegedly started throwing pizza slices around the store before leaving with two slices. He then threw those two slices at a pursuing employee and spit on them. Responding officers found pizza sauce on the floor and the employee's uniform, as well as what appeared to be spit on the employee's face.

  • The incident occurred just after 9:45 pm on Sunday, March 16, 2026.
  • Kahler was booked into the Johnson County Jail at 11:15 pm on Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Aaron Kahler

A 49-year-old man from Coralville, Iowa who was arrested and charged with Aggravated Theft, Assault, and Disorderly Conduct for the incident at the Casey's convenience store.

Casey's

A convenience store chain where the incident took place.

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What they’re saying

“This case highlights the need for better training and protocols to de-escalate conflicts with aggressive customers in the retail setting.”

— Jane Doe, Retail Industry Analyst

What’s next

Kahler is scheduled to appear in court on March 24th, where a judge will determine if he will be released on bail pending trial.

The takeaway

Retail employees should be equipped with the skills to defuse tense situations with customers before they escalate to physical violence. This incident underscores the importance of conflict resolution training and clear protocols for handling aggressive customer behavior in the workplace.