An auto theft ring accused of stealing cars and property and committing identity theft, faces 119 counts of criminal charges after a recent Denver grand jury indictment.
The Denver District Attorney’s Office said the group has committed crimes across the metro area for the last two years. The charges allege that members of the ring broke into vehicles and stole property including tools, electronics, credit cards and personal identification. The charges also allege they stole older model vehicles, then created fake titles and other documents enabling them to sell the stolen vehicles to scrap yards.
In numerous instances, officials said, stolen vehicles were sold for scrap and then crushed before victims even knew their vehicle had been stolen.
Nathan Johnson, 29, and Shelby Coombes, 22, are charged with violating the Colorado organized crime control act, identity theft, aggravated motor vehicle theft, forgery, and other felony crimes.
Four co-defendants — Bryant Walker, 21, Antonia Solazzo, 28, Jackie Montieth, 29, and Franklin Gorzelski, 49, — are also charged with numerous felony counts including identity theft, aggravated motor vehicle theft, forgery, and violating the Pawnbroker’s Act.
The co-defendants are all in custody except for Coombes and Walker, who remain at large. Officials said court dates for those in custody are still pending.
