A 20-year-old immigrant was found guilty for playing a key role in a large-scale Venezuelan theft ring based in Castle Rock, according to the 23rd Judicial District.

Jaison Contreras-Rangel, 20, was sentenced Friday to 17 years in prison for his role in 12 separate theft incidents. His contributions resulted in more than $238,000 of goods stolen from retailers such as Sunglass Hut, big box jewelry stores and others, according to the 23rd Judicial District and the arrest affidavit filed with Castle Rock police.

Contreras-Rangel is the third convicted among seven accused to take part in its ORC (Organized Retail Crime) group. Among the group, Contreras-Rangel committed the second most amount of heists, the affidavit shows.

The group has been linked to other jewelry store robberies in Boulder, Denver and Aurora.

The seven alleged members of the ORC, including Contreras-Rangel, are Venezuelan immigrants who illegally entered the country. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assisted with identifying the suspects, authorities said in the affidavit.

Contreras-Rangel pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and violating the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act, officials of the 23rd Judicial District said in a Tuesday news release.

Investigators determined Contreras-Rangel was involved in eight thefts at Sunglass Hut, stealing $131,627 worth of merchandise there. He also stole $78,960 from David Yurman Jewelers, including a $21,499 heist at Kay Jewelers, the arrest affidavit shows.

Contreras-Rangel played a key role in a large Venezuelan theft ring that, in February, was accused of committing 19 thefts across the Denver metro area between Dec. 4, 2023 and Jan. 25, 2024. The 19 thefts resulted in a total $330,333.90 of merchandise stolen, according to the affidavit.

ICE eventually confirmed that six of the seven suspects had FBI numbers and had been contacted by Border Patrol.

Jacson Rojas-Montilla, 22, a co-conspirator, also pleaded guilty for his role in the thefts and was sentenced. Bruno Gutierrez-Zorilla, 28, another alleged co-conspirator, was convicted at trial and awaits sentencing, according to the 23rd Judicial District.

The four remaining defendants await to go through the court process.

“In this community, thieves will be pursued, prosecuted, and imprisoned, regardless of where they are from,” 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler said in the news release.

“Another reminder for the lawless,” he added, “If you refuse to follow the law, go break it somewhere else more permissive and tolerant of lawless behavior. This is not the community for you.”