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By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART TOWNSHIP — Several farm workers who were harvesting zucchini from a field in the 2200 block of West Lever Road reported to the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office that they were victims of a theft Monday, Sept. 1.
An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen in the Labor Day crime, which was reported around 2:30 p.m.
“An unknown male had entered into their belongings and removed cash while they were working,” said Oceana County Sheriff Craig Mast.
Similar crimes targeting farm workers have occurred in Oceana County recent years. A group of local farmers issued a reward in August of 2022 totaling over $7,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Damian J. Castellano. Castellano, who is now 26 years old, remains at large and is wanted by police for a rash of thefts and burglaries from farm workers. Castellano escaped from police after he sprang from a patrol car and fled through a corn field on foot.
“That subject fled with our handcuffs, and he has multiple warrants out for his arrest,” said Mast. Authorities believe he is in Mexico or Texas. “We’ve had no contact with him since that time frame when that incident took place.”
It is not believed that Castellano committed the most recent thefts. “Although the facts are similar, it would be pretty gutsy of him to come around, because there are some substantial warrants out for his arrest right now.”
While farm workers were picking asparagus in a field in Leavitt Township in May of 2023, a thief or thieves stole several wallets, cash and cell phones from the workers.
“This isn’t the first time farm workers’ properties have been stolen while they’re out in the orchards working,” said the sheriff. “It’s a pretty easy target.”
During the most recent theft, several workers were victimized while working in the field. Their belongings were stashed in the field while they were harvesting zucchini, said an anonymous source advocating for the victims.
“There was someone who lives close by the area where they’re working that informed them about the robbery,” said the source. “They were picking zucchini,” she said, “and that person came and told them, so they went over to check their things, and there were things missing.” The workers notified their supervisor and the farm owner, who then contacted the police.
“Where they pick, they have a general area where they leave their backpacks and their lunch, and that’s where it was stolen from.”
“The reason they keep the money with them is having numerous camp facilities being broken into while they were at work,” said Sheriff Mast. The workers, most of whom are migrant workers from Mexico, expressed to their boss that they were reluctant to contact the police, he said. “He advised that most of the workers have a fear of law enforcement, but (the farm owner) encouraged them to report the incidents to prevent future incidents taking place.”
A neighbor witnessed the suspect who is “a younger male,” and the neighbor did not see a suspect vehicle, according to the police report. “We checked the neighborhood and canvassed the area and found no suspects,” the report states.
“It’s just really unfortunate that there are people out there taking advantage of something like this,” said the source.
Sheriff Mast encourages anyone with information about the case to contact the sheriff’s office (231-873-2121) and that they should not be fearful of being detained. “We’re not looking to deport them.”
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