Photo courtesy Hayden Police.
A Shelter-in-Place was issued in the early morning hours of Sunday morning for the Pinyon Pines neighborhood in Hayden. Details are below from Hayden Police Chief Scott Scurlock. Also assisting were Routt County Sheriff’s officers and the Northwest Colorado SWAT team.
Press Release from the Hayden Police Department; March 29, 2026.
BARRICADED SUBJECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOLLOWING ASSAULT, MENACING INVESTIGATION IN HAYDEN
HAYDEN, Colo. — On March 29, 2026, at around 2:11 am, officers with the Hayden Police Department and Routt County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 1100 W. Jefferson Ave., at the Pinyon Pine Estates mobile home community, for a reported assault involving two adult male roommates.
The initial investigation determined that one man, Erling Osman Castro, 35, allegedly punched the other during an altercation inside the residence. After the assault, the victim ran outside the home. Castro then followed the victim outside while armed with a large kitchen knife. During the confrontation, Castro held the knife above his head in a manner that caused the victim to reasonably fear he was about to be stabbed.
After this confrontation, Castro retreated back into the residence and refused to come out for law enforcement. For the safety of everyone involved, officers evacuated the victim and a third roommate from the home and established a perimeter around the residence.
Law enforcement personnel made repeated efforts to gain Castro’s voluntary surrender. Officers attempted to contact him by phone and also used a public address system to issue commands for him to exit the residence. Castro came to the window several times and could hear the officers’ commands, but he refused to comply.
The Northwest Colorado SWAT team was activated and responded to assist. Based on the investigation, officers sought both an arrest warrant for Castro and a search warrant to enter the residence. A judge reviewed and approved both warrants.
Trained crisis negotiators also responded to the scene and attempted to communicate with Castro. During those efforts, Castro told one of the officers that he was not going to come out of the residence and that he would surrender in the morning.
After multiple warnings, chemical irritants were deployed into the residence. Castro then exited the home and surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
Castro was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and is expected to be booked into the Routt County Jail on charges of Menacing, a Class 5 Felony, and Third Degree Assault, a Class 1 Misdemeanor.
No injuries to officers, bystanders, or suspects were reported during this operation. The scene was secured and cleared safely. The West Routt Fire Protection District also assisted.
This incident remains under investigation, and formal charges will be determined by the 14th Judicial District. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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