DENVER, CO – David Nava-Delgado, a 25-year-old man, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to leading a massive vehicle theft ring that targeted Denver International Airport (DIA). Nava-Delgado’s group is believed to have stolen at least 59 vehicles between February 2022 and March 2023.
The thieves, led by Nava-Delgado, often targeted Ford F-150 Raptors, which were used to ram into businesses in order to steal ATMs. They also stole popular models like Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Challengers, and Dodge Chargers. According to prosecutors, they used reprogrammed key fobs to steal vehicles and disabled GPS systems to evade law enforcement.
Nava-Delgado and his crew were connected to several high-speed chases, burglaries, and crashes involving stolen vehicles. One such crash, involving a stolen Ford F-150 in Thornton, revealed Nava-Delgado’s DNA on the airbag, further tying him to the theft ring.
The case garnered attention after several victims, including one traveler whose Ford F-350 was stolen from the DIA parking lot, voiced concerns about the safety of the airport’s parking lots. Despite heavy surveillance, Nava-Delgado’s group was able to bypass security measures and carry out their thefts.
In October 2023, Nava-Delgado and a dozen other alleged thieves were indicted on 121 counts related to vehicle theft. Prosecutors hailed his sentencing as a major victory in the fight against Colorado’s growing motor vehicle theft crisis. As a result of the recent arrests, data from the Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force shows a significant reduction in vehicle thefts across the state, including a 55% decrease at DIA.
Nava-Delgado pleaded guilty to organized crime and felony auto theft charges, and he will serve his 20-year sentence concurrently with another organized crime conviction in Larimer County.
