A Douglas County judge on Monday sentenced a Castle Rock tow truck driver to 16 years in prison for a car theft operation involving nearly 50 vehicles stolen or scrapped for money.

23rd Judicial District Judge Ryan Stuart sentenced Brian Chacon, 34, to 16 years in the Department of Corrections after he was convicted of 48 counts of motor vehicle theft as part of a plea deal.

Authorities said Chacon, who operated Eagle Wing Towing out of Aurora, stole or scrapped at least 48 vehicles along the Interstate 25 corridor between 2023 and 2024. 23rd Judicial District officials said Chacon “exploited a loophole” in Colorado towing laws – without raising immediate suspicion of stealing vehicles before victims began reporting it.

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies led the investigation before Denver police officers placed him in custody on a warrant in August 2024 on a $350,000 bond.

Prosecutors requested a 16-year department of corrections sentence, claiming his crimes harmed many people in the process. The defense asked for a probation sentence, arguing Chacon wouldn’t become a recurring offender.

“The issue is that PUC regulations that govern tow truck drivers and salvage yards allow for some abuse,” 23rd Judicial District Chief Deputy Attorney Jake Adkins said in an email to The Denver Gazette.

“The tow truck driver is not required to provide title but merely sign a bill of sale representing that they own the vehicle they are selling to the salvage yard,” Adkins said. 

Colorado Public Utilities Commission law states towing companies must provide written notice 24 hours before a non-consensual tow and notify law enforcement officers within 30 minutes. 

Authorities said Chacon registered vehicle VIN numbers fast enough for it not to be registered as stolen, as salvage yards are only required to report stolen vehicles upon purchase.

“The salvage yard is not required to run the VIN a second time before destroying the vehicle,” Adkins said. “If the regulations had required them to do so, this defendant would not have been able to steal and scrap nearly as many vehicles as he did.”  

During his operation, Chacon stole at least 37 vehicles, most models over 15-years-old, to U-Pull-&-Pay locations in Denver, Littleton and Aurora, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigation.

Prosecutors and judicial district officials suggested Chacon stole even more than 48 thefts reported.

During investigative interviews with Chacon, the tow company owner said “I feel like I was trying to look out for my community,” adding that he felt as if his actions weren’t harming anyone according to his arrest affidavit.

In response, the deputy suggested it could’ve been because Chacon targeted broken down or junk cars, according to the affidavit. 

Prosecutors on Monday argued Chacon caused harm by not only stealing people’s cars, but possessions in them, citing one victim who lost tools left in their truck and couldn’t find work because of it.

One victim, Gina Matrious, said her family’s car was stolen when it broke down heading northbound on I-25 in Castle Rock. When she left the car and returned later, it was gone.

She said because of that, they had to cancel plans to move to Colorado Springs, which left her husband without a job there.

“48 stolen cars, that’s almost like ruining 48 lives,” Matrious said, adding she believes Chacon should’ve received more time.

Officials said Chacon targeted vehicles mostly in Douglas County, but showed his presence in Denver, Aurora and as north as Fort Collins, according to his arrest affidavit.

“I am deeply sorry for the harm caused to the victims. I never set out to hurt anyone,” Chacon said on Monday, adding that he regrets thinking his actions were for good.

“I don’t believe you, I don’t believe you were remorseful,” Judge Stuart responded. “This was pure and simple greed.”