12 indicted in alleged Denver-area crime ring to steal building materials

Heather Willard
·2 min read
5

DENVER (KDVR) — A grand jury indicted a dozen people for an alleged conspiracy to steal construction materials from across the Denver metro area, according to the 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

According to the indictment, the group would scout lumber yards or locations with building materials. After finding a target, the “crime ring” members would return at night and complete the thefts, often utilizing a lookout during the crime, according to the DA’s office.

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The investigators found that often the group would cut a hole in the fence of a property to access the materials intended for theft.

The group would load the stolen building materials into various vehicles, including rented U-Haul trucks, and leave.

Investigators allege that the building materials were often put in various storage units across the metro area, and subsequently posted for sale on social media platforms.

The crimes occurred in many communities across the Denver metro area, including Adams, Boulder, Douglas and Denver counties.

The ring, dubbed the “night siders enterprise,” allegedly stole materials valued at over $310,000. Property damage from the thefts totaled approximately $15,000. The group is facing charges under Colorado’s Organized Crime Control Act for engaging in a pattern of racketeering as an enterprise.

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The case was presented to a Boulder County grand jury and on Feb. 23, the grand jury returned indictments on all 12 defendants.

So far, 11 members of the crime ring have been arrested. The following is a list of the defendants and their bond amounts:

  • Abiel Castillo-Medina – $500,000 cash only

  • Jesus Castillo-Medina – $500,000 cash only

  • Arturo Reza Olivan – $25,000 cash, surety or property

  • Alejandro Pineda-Vergara – $25,000 cash, surety or property

  • Esperanza Hernandez – $25,000 cash, surety or property

  • Wilfredo Martinez-Castejon – $500,000 cash only

  • Bryan Macias Espinoza – $25,000 cash, surety or property

  • Samuel Pineda-Vergara – $50,000 cash, surety or property

  • Manuel Cardoza-Peregrino – $35,000 cash, surety or property

  • Rubi Rivera – $25,000 cash, surety or property

  • Jose Pineda-Vergara – $25,000 cash, surety or property

One defendant remains at large, and the name is not being released currently.

All twelve defendants, if convicted, face a sentence of up to 24 years in prison on the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act charges as well as additional prison sentences on felony theft charges.

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The case investigation was led by the Lafayette Police Department, with the assistance of Adams County Sheriff and the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office. The prosecution will be in Boulder County courts.

“The Lafayette Police Department values our community’s safety and security. The outcome of this large investigation was the result of solid teamwork by area law enforcement agencies, led by the members of the City of Lafayette Police Department,” said Lafayette Police Chief Rick Bashor in the Boulder DA’s release. “We appreciate the hard work and dedication from everyone involved to make this a success.”

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