Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office - Burglary Investigation, Murder Suspect Arrest (Photo) - 11/08/21

A21-2726 Burglary Investigation / Murder Suspect Arrest

On November 6, 2021 deputies investigated a burglary to a residence in the 700 block of Agren Rd, Castle Rock. The homeowner had recently passed away and a family member reported several items were missing from the home.

On the morning of November 7th, a family member at the same Agren Rd residence reported a burglary in progress after hearing a window break. Deputies responded to the residence, with assistance from a Longview Police K-9 team and Castle Rock Police. A K-9 track led deputies to a residence in the 500 block of Agren Rd, where several subjects were contacted.

One subject at this residence, Jose Manuel Colon Ortega, 48, Tacoma, was found to be in possession of items stolen in the first burglary incident. Deputies took Colon Ortega into custody and learned he also had a warrant for Murder - 1st Degree out of Pierce County, in addition to several other outstanding warrants. Colon Ortega was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on these warrants, as well as local charges for Possession of Stolen Property.

On the evening of November 7, 2021, the Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on the residence in the 500 block of Agren Rd, with assistance from Lower Columbia SWAT. Deputies recovered more items that were identified as stolen property from the victim's residence.

This investigation is ongoing. The Sheriff's Office is requesting anyone with information about this case to contact Sergeant Rob Stumph at 360-577-3092.