A 25-year-old man who police say oversaw the theft of dozens of vehicles from the parking lots at Denver International Airport recently pleaded guilty and received a 20-year prison sentence.
David Nava-Delgado led a “prolific” group that stole at least 59 vehicles from DIA lots between February 2022 and March 2023, according to prosecutors. The group often took Ford F-150 Raptors with them, which they drove into the front of businesses to steal ATMs. Prosecutors say they attempted or completed these types of burglaries 31 times.
The group also stole vehicles in Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Boulder, Denver, Jefferson County and Logan County. Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Challengers and Dodge Chargers were also popular models for the thieves. Typically, the group used reprogrammed key fobs to gain access to the vehicles. Once inside and en route, they would also disable the vehicle’s GPS tracking system to avoid arrest, according to prosecutors.
Nava-Delgado escaped from authorities several times. He once led police on a high-speed chase while driving a stolen Grand Cherokee. Other members of his crew sat next to him in a stolen F-150 and jumped into Nava-Delgado’s Jeep, leaving handguns, blank keys and key fobs in the Ford.
Nava-Delgado was also identified as the driver of a stolen Dodge Charger that was used as a getaway car during a burglary.
He was also involved in the crash of a stolen Ford F150 in Thornton. The driver of that truck fled the scene, but prosecutors say Nava-Delgado’s DNA was found on the airbag. Once again, a stash of car keys and key rings was found in the truck.
17th Judicial District Attorney
In October 2023, the 17th Judicial District Office (Adams/Broomfield, CO), the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority, and the CATPA Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force announced a 121-count indictment against Nava-Delgado and a dozen other alleged thieves.
“Someone should be able to leave a car at the airport, go on a trip and come back, and not have to worry about their car not being in the parking lot when they come back,” 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason told CBS News. Colorado at the time.
CBS News Colorado spoke to a traveler whose Ford F-350 was stolen from the East Economy Lot airport during the time the Nava-Delgado group was active.
“I always felt like it was a safe place,” Chad Raabe said. “I mean, I guess I consider it false advertising now: the barricade arm and the license plate reader, you get the photo of the license plate and they advertise a safe place to park with 24/7 supervision, all this kind of stuff. “
Chad Raabe
The recent arrests appear to be working, at least statistically. According to data from the Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force, or C-MATT, car thefts statewide decreased 28% from 2023 to 2024. The Denver Metro area has also seen a 30% decrease year over year. as well as a 55% drop at Denver International Airport.
“This defendant was a key player in a massive scheme to steal cars from Denver International Airport and now he is going to prison,” Mason said after Nava-Delgado’s sentencing. “When Colorado saw a huge increase in car thefts, we tried to curb the spike – and we succeeded.”
“The severity of the sentence imposed on David Nava-Delgado demonstrates the extent of the damage he and his associates have caused to the broader Denver community,” added C-MATT Commander John Pickard.
Nava-Delgado pleaded guilty Oct. 14 to one count of organized crime and two counts of auto theft. He will serve his 20-year prison sentence at the same time he serves another COCCA (organized crime) conviction in Larimer County that the Colorado Attorney General brought against him.
Last week, Texas authorities announced the arrest of the leader of a group blamed for 52 car thefts at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. Police said the value of the stolen vehicles was nearly $5 million. According to court documents, the thieves changed vehicle identification numbers, illegally retitled the cars, then sold them and often took them across the border into Mexico. The operation was called national.
When asked if there was a connection to the Colorado group, a spokesperson for the Colorado District of the U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment.
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
17th Judicial District Attorney
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Logan Smith