Indictments Delivered for Auto Theft Ring Targeting Colorado Airports

A Colorado grand jury indicted 11 defendants for taking part in an auto theft ring that reportedly targeted vehicles parked at municipal airports.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and Denver District Attorney John Walsh announced the indictments this week on 52 counts for reported crimes that occurred between July 2024 and January 2025.

It’s alleged that those indicted worked together to steal vehicles from municipal airport parking lots, nearby hotels and sometimes from businesses and residential areas in surrounding counties. Most of the stolen vehicles were full-sized pickup trucks, trailers, and recreational utility terrain vehicles. The stolen vehicles and trailers were used by members of the enterprise to commit other crimes and avoid detection by law enforcement and license plate readers, according to the D.A.’s office.

Once the members of the enterprise stole a vehicle, they would often attempt to alter its appearance to further avoid detection. This allegedly involved switching license plates with plates stolen from other vehicles, changing the VIN tag found on the windshield or affixing a fake temporary Colorado license plate. Many of the stolen vehicles were allegedly driven to or hauled on a trailer to Mexico and sold to cartels, according to the indictment.

The value of the 41 stolen vehicles, stolen property and property damage carried out by the criminal motor vehicle theft ring exceeds $900,000.

The defendants face various charges, including racketeering and conspiracy under the Colorado’s Organized Crime Control Act, second-degree motor vehicle theft, attempted motor vehicle theft and forgery.

The cases were filed in Jefferson County District Court and will be prosecuted by the attorney general’s office and the Denver District Attorney’s Office.

A grand jury indictment is a formal accusation that a crime was committed. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Topics
Auto
Fraud
Aviation