Suspect accused of stealing from farm workers remains at large.

Damian Castellano
– Facebook photo

Suspect accused of stealing from farm workers remains at large.

CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP — A 23-year-old suspect accused of stealing from farm workers remains at large, said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast Monday, Aug. 22.

Damian J. Castellano, who escaped from police last week after he sprang from a patrol car and fled through a corn field on foot, is believed to still be in the Crystal Valley area, said Sheriff Mast.

A group of local farmers has issued a reward totaling over $7,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Castellano, who is wanted by police for a recent rash of thefts and burglaries.

“The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police have been investigating a long string of thefts and burglaries that have been centered around the local farms and their Hispanic workforce,” states Mast. “In these incidents, cash, cell phones, identification documents and other personal items have been stolen. 

The sheriff’s office received information about a potential suspect vehicle in the Crystal Valley area last Wednesday, Aug. 17. “Deputies and troopers were patrolling the Crystal Valley area when the suspect vehicle was located,” said Mast. “The vehicle was stopped, and some stolen property was located. The occupants were identified, and some were found to have warrants from local agencies and also from Texas for different forms of theft.  

“During the investigation, the prime suspect was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car. As the investigation continued, the suspect was seen moving about in the car. When an officer went to check on him, the suspect sprang from the car and fled through a corn field on foot. Although the area was searched by officers, K-9 teams, and drones, we were not able to locate him as of yet.”

Castellano is 5’7″;  weighs 168 pounds; and has black hair and dark brown eyes. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts should call the Mason/Oceana Central Dispatch at (231) 869-5858.         

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Damian Castellano
– Facebook photo

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