DENVER — More than two dozen law enforcement agencies executed nine search warrants early Wednesday across the Front Range, leading to five arrests and the dismantlement of an alleged organized crime ring, according to Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty.
Law enforcement officers, led by the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, targeted locations in Boulder and Adams counties, as well as the cities of Denver, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, Federal Heights, Johnstown, and Commerce City.
Dougherty said the group was responsible for 26 burglaries, 15 vehicle thefts, and other offenses across Colorado.
The following five people were arrested during Wednesday's operation:
- Adrian Martinez, 33
- Chloe Martinez, 28
- Ryan See, 31
- Carlos Marquez, 26
- Lorena Marquez-Perez, 51
One person, Kimberly Salas, 30, remains at large.
According to a press release, the operation is part of a grand jury investigation that began last year, and the crime ring allegedly stole vehicles, re-titled them using fake documents, and registered them under "MMZ International LLC."
Dougherty said the cars stolen by the suspects were used in garage burglaries and vehicle trespasses. He said the suspects often targeted high-end bicycles and trafficked them to Mexico for resale. They allegedly used bear spray for protection.
"They were breaking into cars and then using stolen cars to commit other crimes. And in some of these cars, they found garage door openers, and they would use those garage door openers to then break into people's garages," Dougherty said during a press conference Wednesday.
- Watch the full press conference below
The Boulder County DA said the group also possessed distribution-level quantities of methamphetamine and illegal firearms.
Prior attempts to apprehend suspects led to high-speed chases, according to the release.
Four of the suspects face Colorado's Organized Crime Control Act charges, which carry a maximum of 24 years in prison. Two others face lesser charges.
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office said there may be more suspects or victims involved in the crime ring, and urges anyone with information to report it.
Jarring wake-up call
A man living at one of the properties searched by authorities Wednesday morning was still shaken up several hours later and reached out to Denver7 to share his experience.
Patrick Oullette, who lives in Adams County, said he used to rent a home on his property to Adrian Martinez until about 18 months ago.
Oullette and his current renter told Denver7 that mail for Martinez is still occasionally delivered to the property. Oullette said he would not have rented to Martinez if he knew he was allegedly involved in a crime ring.
"Kind of surprised me because I always thought he was too lazy to do anything," Oullette told Denver7 Wednesday.
Oullette also expressed concern with how the search was conducted, and that he is upset with the property damage authorities left behind, including a broken truck window and a damaged door. He also took issue with his renter, a young mother, being handcuffed in front of her young son. The renter told Denver7 her son was also still shaken from the experience.
"It took me an hour and a half to get 'em to give me a search warrant," Oullette said. "I’m 100% all for law enforcement, but this was horribly mishandled."
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