T’Naus Nieto
The Chronicle-News

Roy Allen Elliott Casaus III was wanted back in 2022 before the Castle Rock incident, for accessory to homicide

The 23rd Judicial District announced Tuesday, July 29, that Roy Allen Elliott Casaus, 33, out of Trinidad, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after a high-speed chase in Castle Rock, while driving a stolen vehicle, led him to crash into several patrol cars.

Authorities were able to capture the pursuit on a dash cam.

According to the District, Elliott-Casaus pleaded guilty to assault on a peace officer, aggravated motor vehicle theft, and vehicular eluding.

The district also stated that Elliott-Casaus’s 13-year sentence would be served consecutively with another 6-year sentence from an unrelated crime in Las Animas County.

According to the Trinidad Police Department, Elliott-Casaus was wanted, at the time of the high-speed chase, for the charge of accessory to crime, a class four felony, because of a Grand Jury indictment in the Mar. 2, 2020, death of Tiffany Ann Sapien.

“Casaus thought he could outrun law enforcement in a stolen car, but crashing into reality, literally, brought his joy ride to an end,” Deputy DA Jonathan Steinberg with the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office said in the announcement. “Actions have consequences, especially when public safety is at risk.”

The DA explained that the incident began in January 2022, when Castle Rock FLOCK cameras identified a stolen vehicle from Englewood. Castle Rock police were able to use drone technology, and, after waiting for Elliott-Casaus to enter his vehicle, attempted to pin it, which Elliott-Casaus responded by ramming the officer and trying to flee at a “high rate of speed.”

Eventually, one officer used their patrol vehicle to crash headfirst into the stolen vehicle Elliott-Casaus was driving, which led to his arrest after a short foot chase.

“Thirteen years isn’t just punishment- it’s protection for the community,” said Deputy DA

Joe Ratner. “This defendant treated a shopping center like a racetrack. Now he’s off the streets.”

District Attorney George Brauchler said the sentence will send a strong message to those who commit crimes in Douglas County. “Nothing says ‘I cannot be trusted to remain free’ like deliberately and repeatedly crashing a stolen car into the police in an effort to escape accountability. You came to the wrong county. Thieves are despicable. Those who flee from their thievery are cowards and dangerous. The good news is none of the good guys were hurt, and the bad guys will be left to steal fellow inmates’ pudding for years.”