Police bust major ID-theft ring
April Washington
Published May 2, 2008 at 2:43 p.m.
Updated May 2, 2008 at 2:43 p.m.
Aurora and Denver police today announced they've cracked one of the largest and most sophisticated identity theft rings in the metro area in recent years.
Thirteen of 20 suspects were arrested Thursday. They face various charges ranging from forgery, theft, drug possession and counterfeiting.
At a joint press conference, police said the group ripped off the identities of 472 people with an estimated loss to them in excess of $400,000.
"Identity theft is a national problem and it's a growing problem here in the metro region," said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates. "This ring operated as far as Fort Collins to the north and Colorado Springs to the south."
A Denver grand jury this week indicted 20 suspects, including eight members of the group charged with violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, a class 2 felony.
The remaining 12 suspects face computer-theft, forgery and drug possession charges.
The 20 suspects could face between eight to 48 years in prison.
Four of the seven remaining suspects were expected to turn themselves today or earlier next week.
Three suspects remain at large in other states, said Aurora police Detective Mike Ciavatta, lead investigator.
"The group was broken down into an organization," said Ciavatta. "It had an expert in making fake IDs, an online expert, an expert in purchasing goods and an expert in breaking into cars.
"It's one of the most complex and largest rings seen in the metro area in a long time," he said. "They're crimes were fueled by a need to feed their methamphetamine habits."
Police cleared 219 cases tied to the group, the bulk of which occurred in Aurora and the southeast metro area.
The group's victims included a small-town mayor and a South Metro firefighter. Police would not share the identities of victims.
The group obtained driver's licenses and other identification from victims' vehicles.
It also stole numerous checks and money orders from apartment rental boxes.
The ring used the fraudulent IDs to obtain credit cards to purchase high-end merchandise such as flat screen televisions and washers and dryers to resell for cash, police said.
The group also obtained pay day loans by forging payroll documentation, police said.
The joint investigation began a year ago when Aurora detectives noticed crime patterns involving a rash of motor vehicle thefts.
Lead agencies included Aurora, Denver, Arapahoe County and Denver District Attorney Office.
The group broke into vehicle and stole purses and wallets often left in the cars parked near dog parks, hike and bike trails and fitness center parking lots.
Detectives executed search warrants on six residences, one hotel, two vehicles and a dozen computers.
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May 2, 2008
3:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
Golden writes:
This looks alot like simple Agricultural Trespassing... Oh right, that guy isn't DA anymore... He is our own Lord Governor Ritter... These punks might actully serve time.
May 2, 2008
3:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
Buckwheat writes:
To bad Colo laws aren't tuff enough to deter this sort of crime. If I recall, you can get more time for stealing a loaf of bread from the grocery store.
May 2, 2008
3:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Squatch writes:
does it matter? will you throw a fit if they arent hispanic last names?
May 2, 2008
4:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
BikerChick writes:
..
Did this reporter speak with the members of the law-enforcement team ?
Or... did this reporter read a law-enforcement public-relations announcement prior to writing this piece ?
No matter which is the case, there is absolutely no excuse for failure to report the names of the criminals, along with their rap-sheet data and nationality.
It is reasonable to accuse this media outlet and this reporter of conspiracy to leave out important information... INTENTIONALLY.
Gross malfeasance.
..
May 2, 2008
4:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
Buckwheat writes:
Who cares if their from Katmando? Colo has one of the weakest ID Theft laws in the nation. That's why we are such a gold mine for these dirtbags.
May 2, 2008
5:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
Golden writes:
Doesn't matter their skin color. I do hope they are not illegals... If they are, they will be cut free and be back at it in weeks. American citizens actually have to face justice.
I bet this is a round-up of white trash. Meth heads and cookers always seem to be white when we see them on the local news. And lets face it, a bunch of illegals hanging out in the parking lot of dog park and trailheads would have drawn more suspicion than a bunch of white people. But, we'll have to wait for the facts...
May 2, 2008
7:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
Wow it seems like our tax dollars might be doing something.We should take up a collection and by those officers a big box of donuts after a hard days work.Wonder if they were the group offering free computers and t.v.'s on line.But then again lets put these criminals in a real prison with the rapist and killers.Maybe that will slow down the problem.How about this idea put them in iraq and see if they can cheat abdullah.Then wish them luck!