Ringleader of vehicle theft operation at DIA sentenced
KDVR Fox 31
DENVER (KDVR) — A ringleader of a large-scale motor vehicle theft operation that targeted victims at Denver International Airport was sentenced to nearly two decades in prison.
On Thursday, District Attorney Brian Mason of the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said 25-year-old David Nava-Delgado was sentenced to 20 years in the Department of Corrections following his guilty plea of two counts of aggravated motor vehicle theft and a Colorado Organized Crimes Act charge.
According to the DA's office, Nava-Delgado was one of the ringleaders of a prolific operation that stole vehicles from locations across the Denver metro, including DIA. The DA said some of those vehicles were then used to smash through businesses and steal ATMs.
According to the DA, Ford F-150 Raptors were the preferred vehicle. Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Challengers and Dodge Chargers were also stolen and used in the burglaries. In total, 59 cars were stolen.
The operation lasted from February 2022 to March 2023.
In October 2023, Nava-Delgado and 12 others were indicted on 121 counts by an Adams County grand jury.
“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 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.”
Nava-Delgado will serve his sentence concurrently with his COCCA conviction that was handled by the attorney general's office in Larimer County, said the DA's office.