Weld County Deputies Arrest Suspect in Criminal Mischief and Trespass

Published on August 26, 2026

[Weld County, COLO.] On August 23, just before 10 a.m. Weld County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies responded to a report of a theft from a business in the 17500 block of Weld County Road 394, near LaSalle, CO.

During the investigation, deputies were able to obtain the suspect’s vehicle description, two digits of the suspect’s vehicle tag, and the suspect’s clothing description through video surveillance footage.

 Although no property was reported stolen, the suspect reportedly damaged a section of fence as well as the side entry door and handle of an enclosed trailer on the victim’s property.

Later in the day, just before 1 p.m. deputies spotted a red Jeep that matched the suspect’s vehicle description on Weld County Road 41 just north of Weld County Road 50. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, and through further investigation, they developed probable cause to arrest the passenger of the vehicle, who was identified as 45-year-old, Ernesto Castanuela.

Castanuela was arrested on suspicion of:

• Criminal Mischief $2,000 - $4,999 Business
• Second Degree Criminal Trespass Intent to Commit

The sheriff's office remains dedicated to addressing and solving property crimes.

All charges are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until, or unless proven guilty in a court of law.