13 indicted for allegedly stealing vehicles from Denver International Airport, Denver metro area

More than a dozen people have been indicted in Adams County for allegedly stealing vehicles from Denver International Airport and the surrounding Denver metro area, and then using some of those vehicles in other crimes. The 121-count indictment includes charges related to the Colorado Organized Crime Act, burglary, aggravated motor vehicle theft and theft. 

Those 13 charged are related to a prolific group that the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force followed for more than a year.

From February 2022 to March 2023, the Adams County District Attorney said the individuals allegedly stole vehicles from various locations, including DIA, and used some of those vehicles to smash through the fronts of businesses. They would then allegedly place straps around ATMs inside and pull the machines from the buildings. 

Earlier this year, CBS News Colorado's Karen Morfitt reported on the rise of vehicle thefts at DIA parking lots. 

Ford F-150 Raptors were their preferred vehicles and they targeted businesses that contained ATMs. Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Challengers, and Dodge Chargers were also allegedly stolen and used during the crimes. 

The DA said that the defendants allegedly utilized specialized tools to reprogram key fobs so they could steal the vehicles. They would also allegedly disable the vehicle's GPS tracking system to avoid apprehension. 

The alleged crimes happened in multiple jurisdictions, including Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Boulder, Denver, Jefferson and Logan counties. A total of 59 vehicles were stolen and there were 31 attempted or completed burglaries. 

In a news conference earlier this month, DIA CEO Phil Washington addressed the issue of vehicle thefts and the measures taking place to keep that from happening, "One car that's stolen out here is one car too many." 

The 13 defendants charged in the indictment are: Marc Morales Cisneros who remains at large, Hector Escalera Hernandez who is in custody in Mexico, David Nava Delgado is in custody, Carlos Nava Delgado is in custody, Jorge Cadena Lujan is in custody, Stephanie Reza Ramos is in custody, Rene Ruiz Ochoa is in custody, Alejandro Silva-Vasquez is at large in Mexico, Cesar Poblano Hernandez is in custody, Brian Valladares is in custody, Rodrigo Perez-Gonzalez is in custody, Cruz Cordova remains at large and Jose Merino Ramos remains at large.