Group Blog Home
Group Blog Home

Recent Posts
October 2019 - Posts
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT

The Aurora Police Department is one of only a very few major city agencies that does not have a dedicated unit focused on investigating and preventing domestic violence related crimes. Since his arrival in 2015, Chief Metz has been diligently working at trying to get funding and establish a domestic violence unit that can better serve the residents of Aurora.

Some of the reasonings that prompted Chief Metz and the Aurora PD to pursue creating a Domestic Violence Unit are:

• On average, APD responds to 6700 Domestic Violence related calls for service per year.

• Over the last 4 years, APD has responded to double the number of Domestic Violence (DV) incidents, and more than three times as many Felony DV Aggravated Assaults, as compared to prior years. Sadly, this has included several DV related murders over the last four years...including three in the last couple months. It is hoped that having a specialized process will give those who are victims of abuse the courage and confidence to report violence.

• Domestic Violence is one of the most underreported crimes. When a reported crime of an aggravated DV assault or murder occur, it is rare that it is the first-time violence has occurred in the home. Sadly, in many of those murder cases, it is believed the victim endured multiple unreported assaults by the suspect. Again, our goal would be to help give victims the courage to report and follow-through to prosecution, thus minimizing repeat calls and escalation of violence.

• Domestic violence crosses all economic, racial, sexual orientation, and cultural categories. It is often a cyclical crime that if not addressed appropriately can repeat itself at the hands of children who witness such ongoing violence in their own families.

• Domestic violence calls are one of the leading causes of assaults and murders against law enforcement officers throughout the country. In fact, since the beginning of the year, five officers around the country were murdered responding to DV / familial related calls. The number of officers seriously wounded while responding to DV related calls, as well as OIS incidents is staggering. Such an incident involved one of our own last year.

• A specialized DV unit would be able to help identify those addresses that patrol officers should approach with extreme caution based on information that may come out post-patrol response. And again, hopefully reduce repeat incidents and escalation.

We want to ensure that APD is doing everything it can to truly serve and protect victims of family violence. The goal will be to have the DV Unit fully functional and operational no later than January 1, 2021. In the meantime, patrol officers and district detectives will continue to respond and investigate these crimes. If you are, or know someone that is, a victim of domestic violence, we are here to help and have resources that we can provide. You can reach out Dispatch Center at 303-627-3100 or by calling 911. You can also follow this link for a list of resources that are available: http://bit.ly/2lvcip3


Posted by [email protected]  On Oct 31, 2019 at 7:38 AM
  
Smith, Cameron

This is an update to the original media release regarding the fatal crash on October 27th at I-225 and E. Mississippi Ave.

Cameron Smith, a 26 year old male has been arrested and charged with DUI and Leaving The Scene of an Accident Involving Death.  More charges may be forthcoming (booking photo attached).

Smith was the driver of a Ford SUV that was exiting northbound I-225 at Mississippi.  Smith drove into the intersection and crashed broadside into a Lexus SUV that was driving eastbound.  The driver of the Lexus was killed and the passenger was seriously injured.

Smith walked away from the crash.  Responding officers were alerted to his presence at a nearby business by citizens.  After their investigation, they found he was the driver of the Ford and he was arrested.  He is currently being held for bond at the Arapahoe County Jail.

Sergeant Chris Carleton
Aurora Police Traffic Investigations
6 Abilene St.
Aurora, CO 80011
303-739-6243
[email protected]
Posted by [email protected]  On Oct 28, 2019 at 1:07 PM
  
On October 27th, 2019 at 1:20 am, Aurora officers and rescue personnel responded to the East Mississippi Ave and I-225 interchange on the report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Two occupants of one vehicle were transported to a nearby hospital and one of those occupants was later declared deceased.

The involvement of alcohol and/or drugs and speed are being investigated. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

Any witnesses to this incident are encouraged to contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section. This marks the 22nd traffic related fatality of 2019 in Aurora.

Sergeant Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293
Posted by [email protected]  On Oct 27, 2019 at 4:42 AM
  
WHAT: Press Conference Addressing Recent Critical Incidents

WHEN: Friday, October 25, 2019 at 11:00 A.M.

WHERE: Aurora Police Headquarters, 15001 East Alameda Parkway

WHO: Deputy Chief of Police, Paul O’Keefe

CONTACT: Officer Tony Camacho, Public Information Officer for the Aurora Police Department
                    (720) 432-5095


Aurora Police Deputy Chief Paul O'Keefe will be providing updates on the August 24th incident involving Elijah McClain, the officer-involved shooting on October 10th located at South Bahama Street, and the officer-involved shooting on October 20th located at East 14th Avenue.

The conference will be held in a secure location inside of Police Headquarters. The media is asked to arrive no later than 09:30 A.M. through the main lobby of Police Headquarters. Please call the on-call PIO number when you arrive and a representative of the Media Relations Unit will then escort you into the building.

Members of the media who plan on attending, please RVSP to [email protected] no later than Friday, October 25th at 08:00 A.M.

Officer Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department    
720-432-5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Oct 24, 2019 at 5:11 PM
  

On October 12th at 6:41 a.m. a woman was struck and killed as she crossed East Iliff Avenue near I-225.  The vehicle that struck her fled the scene.  Information was gathered from witnesses and evidence at the scene.  This information was then sent out to all Aurora Police Officers.  A few District One patrol officers continued synthesizing this information and discovered a possible suspect vehicle which was registered to an apartment complex near the crash location.  Due to their continued investigation they found the suspect vehicle.

Subsequent investigation led to them finding the registered owner of the suspect car which was Jackson Donald 11/18/95 from Aurora (see attached booking photo). It was then determined he was the driver of the suspect vehicle that struck the pedestrian.  He was arrested and charged with Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries, a Class 3 Felony and held for bond.

Sergeant Chris Carleton
Traffic Investigations
303.739-6243
[email protected]


Traffic


information previously released on October 12, 2019:

On Saturday October 12, 2019 the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit began their investigation into a vehicle fatally striking a pedestrian on East Iliff Avenue at I-225 in the early morning hours. 

Through their continued investigation officers located the suspected driver and involved vehicle.  Traffic Investigators are continuing their investigation with this newly developed information.  Due to this, no further information will be released at this time.  

We implore every one to focus on the roadways while driving, and walking.  Use extreme caution in low visibility conditions, and slow down when approaching to make turns.  Finally, never ever leave the scene of an accident.  Anyone who has additional information about this investigation or witnessed this incident please call 303.739.6243. 

Public Information Officer 
Crystal McCoy 
[email protected] 
720.435.5095


information previously releases on October 12, 2019:

On Saturday October 12, 2019 at 6:40 a.m., Aurora Police officers responded to East Iliff Avenue at I-225 for a pedestrian that had been struck crossing the road.  That pedestrian was a woman who was just involved in a two-car crash prior to being fatally struck.  She was in the process of contacting the other driver from her crash, and had to walk across westbound East Iliff Avenue to do so.  As she did this, she was struck by a vehicle which fled the scene.  The woman was transported to a local hospital where she died as a result of her injuries.


Evidence gathered at the scene led investigators to believe that the suspect vehicle is a black 2015 to 2018 four-door Nissan Altima (see below images).  It will have damage to the left (driver’s side) bumper with part of it missing.  The driver’s sideview mirror will also be missing.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call APD Traffic Investigations at 303-739-6243. Anonymous tips to Denver Metro Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.00 by calling 720-913-STOP.

Chris Carleton

Sergeant, Aurora Police Department

Traffic Investigations

303.739-6243

[email protected]

Actual Suspect VehicleExample Vehicle


Posted by [email protected]  On Oct 14, 2019 at 5:49 PM