Rene Ruiz, a member of an organized auto theft and burglary crime ring, has been sentenced to 24 years in a Colorado prison for his involvement in stealing vehicles and committing burglaries in Colorado from 2020-2023. The sentencing, one of the longest in Colorado’s history in an organized motor vehicle theft case, was handed down by a Larimer County District Court judge after Ruiz pleaded guilty to multiple charges in Larimer and Adams Counties. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office praised the collaboration with law enforcement in breaking up major auto theft rings and protecting communities from vehicle thefts.
Ruiz was involved in stealing vehicles from private citizens, dealerships, and repair shops, as well as committing burglaries of businesses, including ATMs, in multiple locations in the Denver metro area. Data from the Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force shows a 28% decrease in auto thefts statewide since 2023, including a 55% decrease at Denver International Airport.
District Attorney Brian Mason commended the prosecution of Ruiz, emphasizing the serious impact of motor vehicle theft on victims and the success of collaborative efforts in reducing auto thefts in Colorado. This case is part of ongoing efforts to address the issue of motor vehicle theft in the state. Jennifer McRae, a digital media producer for CBS Colorado, reported on this high-profile sentencing and highlighted the work of law enforcement in combating auto theft and burglary crimes.
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