A Larimer County District Court Judge on Thursday sentenced a man to 24 years in prison for his involvement in a series of burglaries, and stolen vehicles, in Colorado from 2020 to 2023, according to a Adams and Broomfield County District Attorney news release.

Prosecutors said the 24-year prison sentence handed down by the court is one of the longest the Attorney General’s office has secured in an organized motor vehicle theft case.

Authorities connected Rene Ruiz, 24, to three major vehicle theft and burglary cases filed in state courts in 2023. Court records show Ruiz committing theft and sale of vehicles from citizens, commercial dealerships, automotive repair shops and burglaries from several businesses and ATM’s, according to attorneys.

In its findings, authorities say Ruiz was a “high-level” member of auto theft and burglary crime rings in metro Denver. Ruiz, with accomplices, was said to have committed these crimes along the front range, Denver and Denver International Airport.

Across the three cases, the criminal organization has stolen at least 365 motor vehicles, with “scores” of catalytic converters and firearms. The aggregate value of vehicles involved exceeds $8.3 million. The aggregate value of stolen catalytic converters are estimated between $53,000 to $78,000, attorney’s office officials said.

“The defendant also coordinated the sale of vehicles for their illegal delivery out of the country. During motor vehicle thefts, Ruiz also eluded law enforcement and placed officers in danger of serious injury,” attorneys said.

Motor vehicle thefts have dropped significantly statewide and in the Denver area so far this year, according to the latest data from the Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force.

As of Sept. 11, 17,164 vehicle thefts were recorded statewide. Whereas, at the same time in 2023, 23,988 vehicle thefts were recorded during, a 28% decrease. There were 11,904 vehicle thefts in the Denver area in 2024 compared to 17,118 during the same in 2023, a 30% decrease, according to the Auto Theft Task Force.

In the attorney’s news release, Attorney General Phil Weiser condemned auto thefts in Colorado.

“In collaboration with law enforcement partners, we were able to investigate and break up three overlapping major auto theft rings that harmed many residents and businesses in Colorado,” he said.

Colorado’s attorney general added: “As this conviction illustrates, stolen cars are often used to commit other crimes and threaten communities. We are committed to protecting victims and communities from the scourge of vehicle thefts, and I am proud of our Auto Theft Unit’s work on these complex cases.”