ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. — The ringleader of an auto theft operation that stole vehicles primarily from Denver International Airport will spend two decades behind bars, the 17th District Attorney's Office announced.
On Oct. 14, David Nava-Delgado, 25, pleaded guilty to Colorado Organized Crime Act (COCCA) violations and two counts of aggravated motor vehicle theft.
He was sentenced to 20 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.
An Adams County Grand Jury charged Nava-Delgado and 12 others as part of a 121-count indictment in October 2023. The 13 defendants were part of a prolific group that stole vehicles from various locations, including DIA.
They used some of those vehicles to smash through the fronts of businesses and steal ATMs between February 2022 and March 2023.
Nava-Delgado was one of the ringleaders of this operation and was found in a stolen vehicle containing several key programming devices and blank keys, the district attorney's office said.
“This defendant was a principal player in a massive scheme to steal cars from Denver International Airport and now he’s going to prison,” said District Attorney Brian Mason.
“When Colorado saw a massive increase in motor vehicle thefts, we set out to curb the spike – and we’ve succeeded. I’m proud of the work of my team and law enforcement who not only indicted 13 individuals for terrorizing innocent passengers at DIA but prosecuted and convicted those same defendants who have caused so much pain throughout our jurisdiction.”
These alleged offenses occurred in multiple jurisdictions including Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Boulder, Denver, Jefferson and Logan Counties. In total, 59 vehicles were stolen, and there were 31 attempted or completed burglaries.
Motor vehicle thefts continue their decline in Colorado. According to data from the Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force, or C-MATT, there has been a 28% reduction in motor vehicle thefts statewide from 2023 to 2024. There has also been a 30% decrease in the Denver Metro area year over year, as well as a 55% decrease at Denver International Airport.
