MANASSA — On Monday, Feb. 10, 2020 the Conejos County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to an address south west of city limits in Manassa, regarding a burglary in progress.

The Sheriff’s Office received information there was a white Ford van at the residence and a male party later identified as Richard Espinoza, 27, from Denver, Colorado was loading items from the residence into the van.

Law Enforcement in Conejos County were advised that the same vehicle had been stolen from an address within City Limits of Alamosa, Co. earlier that day.

The while van had left the residence Prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Conejos County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Manassa Police Department and the Colorado State Patrol Located the van southeast of Manassa and placed Espinoza into custody without incident.
He was later released to the custody of the Alamosa Police Department where he is facing felony motor vehicle theft charges.

Espinoza will be facing burglary and theft charges in Conejos County, This investigation is ongoing.
The owner of the van arrived and confirmed that some of the items inside was not his property. The van was later released to the owner.