Five “puffers” – cars stolen when their owners left the engines running and unattended – have been recovered by the Jefferson County Regional Auto Theft Task Force following a break in the case on Sunday.
According to the task force, a Wheat Ridge police officer was checking vehicles parked at the American Motel at Interstate 70 and Kipling Street early Sunday.
In the parking lot, the officer spotted a stolen 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Officers then staked out the Jeep. A short time later, a man and woman went to the Cherokee where they were arrested following a brief scuffle.
Acting on investigative information, task force detectives executed search warrants in various locations in Denver, Lakewood and Jefferson County resulting in the five stolen vehicles being recovered.
In addition to the five “puffers”, a small amount of narcotics and numerous items taken in Denver-area burglaries were also recovered, according to the task force.
Arrested in connection with thefts were Michael Franco, 38; Andrea Stoltzfus, 32; Michael Tucson, 30; and Denise Tucson, 26.
They are being held for investigation of motor vehicle theft, possession of a controlled substance and second-degree assault on a peace officer.
The task force said the investigation is on-going.
The Jefferson County Regional Auto Theft Task Force was formed this past July and is funded by the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
