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On December 17th, 2018, Officers from the Aurora Police Department responded to 10653 East Jewell Avenue after a woman called 911 saying that there was a verbal and physical domestic fight occurring inside of the apartment.

Officers arrived on scene approximately 7 minutes later and as they approached the apartment, could hear yelling and screaming. As officers approached the door, they could see a male actively choking another male. Officers began to give verbal commands during this loud and very chaotic scene. One of the involved males then turns his attention officers and begins to advance on them. This male is later identified as Mr. David Baker.

Two different officers deployed their Tasers but neither had any effect. After the 2 unsuccessful Taser attempts, Mr. Baker pushes an officer out of the apartment and continues to fight. After some baton strikes that prove to be ineffective, the fight makes its way outside. Once outside, officers attempt to go hands on with Mr. Baker who instead throws an officer to the ground, injuring them. Mr. Baker continues to advance on the officers and ends up grabbing an officer’s baton and attempts to take it away.

At one point, an officer is in a position to apply a carotid control hold. While attempting to apply the carotid control hold, Mr. Baker is able to turn himself around and then places his hands around an officer’s neck and begins to choke him for several seconds. Other officers notice that the officer is being choked, attempt to drive-stun Mr. Baker as well as deliver baton strikes to his legs, all of which had no effect.

After finally letting go of our officers throat, Mr. Baker turns and begins to walk towards the open apartment door. Someone on the inside of the apartment notices this and quickly closes the door. Mrs. Baker is left outside pleading to her husband to please stop.

An officer attempts to de-escalate the situation by putting away his baton and going hands on instead. While trying to gain control of Mr. Bakers arm and take him to the ground, Mr. Baker is able to fight through and continues to fight officers. Officers then begin to punch, kick, and use their Taser to drive-stun Mr. Baker in an attempt to place him into custody. During all of this, Mrs. Baker, as well as a neighbor who has heard the yelling and screaming, are now both pleading to Mr. Baker to stop fighting.

Mr. Baker is finally taken to the ground but continues to kick and fight with officers as they attempt to take him into custody. Now over 6 minutes into the fight, the first backup officers arrive on scene. Mr. Baker is laying on his arms preventing officers from placing into handcuffs. An officer has to use his baton as a pry tool to get one of his arms free in order to successfully handcuff him. Once officers finally get his second arm free, it takes 4 pairs of handcuffs, linked together, to properly restrain Mr. Baker.

Feeling that Mr. Baker is still kicking, officers mention the use of hobbles. Officers prepare to apply a hobble, which consists of a separate waist chain and feet restraints. At NO time during a hobble do the hands ever get attached to the feet as they would in a hogtie. Also, while officers only mentioned applying hobbles, neither the separate waist chain nor the feet restraints were ever successfully applied.

As officers continue to effectively gain complete control of Mr. Baker, an officer recognizes that he may be unconscious. Officers request for Rescue to respond to the scene, who were already staged around the corner. Officers begin to check vital signs and it appears that Mr. Baker is not breathing although another officer can feel a pulse. Rescue was walked into scene where they took over the medical measures. Mr. Baker was transported to the hospital where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

Members of the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and requested the assistance from the Denver Police Department to complete a thorough and comprehensive investigation. They were also assisted by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.

The facts of the case were then presented to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office who ultimately concluded that no member of the Aurora Police Department violated any Colorado statute with respect to the events that occurred at 10653 E. Jewell on December 17, 2018.

This incident is now being reviewed by our Force Review board to determine if there were any policy violations.

Click the YouTube link below to watch the body worn camera video release.



Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
720-432-5095
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Information previously released December 18, 2018.


On December 17, 2018 officers responded to a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex in the
10600 block of East Jewell Avenue, where one man ultimately died in the presence of Aurora Police Officers.


During a press conference on December 18, 2018, Chief Metz spoke about his experience in viewing body-worn camera videos that were captured by his officers. In part, the information that Chief Metz released is as follows:

As Officers approached a chaotic family disturbance, they heard screaming and ran to the apartment where the commotion was coming from. When they arrived, a man was choking an adult male in the living room where several small children were also present.

Officers immediately drew their tasers and pointed them at the man while giving multiple commands. The man turned on the officers and there was at least one taser deployment at this time which was ineffective.

A physical struggle started inside the apartment and then moved outside with the man and the officers. The man knocked the officers to the ground and at one point the man grabbed an officer’s baton and attempted to grab a taser.

Officers ordered the man to stop fighting, stop resisting, and to get on the ground repeatedly. In several instances officers appeared to gain control of the man, but he would start to fight again. Chief Metz remarked that he could hear family members and neighbors pleading with the man to stop fighting with police.

During this violent episode, the officers initiated a city-wide ‘help call’ and it took several minutes for more officers to arrive. By the time other officers arrived to assist, the three officers had been engaged in a violent fight for at least seven long minutes.
In the press conference, Chief Metz stated that in his 35-year law enforcement career this is one of the most violent altercations he had ever seen.

The man was finally taken to the ground & after a physical struggle on the ground, he was placed into handcuffs. Officers recognized that the male became unresponsive and initiated lifesaving efforts. Aurora Fire Rescue arrived to render aid and the subject was transported to an area hospital where he was declared deceased.

Chief Metz noted that there are limitations to what can be released at this time, pending a completed investigation by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office. That investigation will shed light as to the manner and cause of death.

The three initial responding Aurora Police Officers were described as follows: One male officer employed since June, 2017; one female lateral officer employed since February, 2016; one female officer employed since June, 2017. The suspect was described as an African American male, 5’8”, weighing 237 lbs.

No immediate updates are anticipated at this time, pending the completion of the Arapahoe County Coroner’s report.

The full press conference can be viewed here:



Office Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095


 

Information previously released on December 17, 2018

On December 17, 2018, about 6:15 PM Aurora Police Officers responded to a call of a physical family disturbance in the 10600 block of East Jewell Avenue at the Willowick Apartments.

When officers arrived they encountered a male in the apartment who was violently attacking family members. Because of the very violent actions the officers made a citywide ‘help call’ for additional assistance. Numerous officers responded from around the city to assist officers who were on-scene and involved with the violent male.

After the male was taken into custody, he became unresponsive. Officers administered life-saving efforts until medical personnel arrived. The male was transported to a local hospital where he was declared deceased. Two officers were also transported to area hospitals where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The identity of the deceased male, along with the cause and manner of death, will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office at a later time.

The involved officers have been placed on administrative reassignment with pay as per Aurora Police Department Policy.
This case is being investigated by the Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Unit in conjunction with the Denver Police Department Homicide Unit per our standard protocol.

The Aurora Police Department will provide additional details as they become available. We remind the public that this investigation is in its early stages and maintaining integrity of the investigation is a top priority.

Officer Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 24, 2019 at 9:38 PM
  

UPDATE: The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes/Homicide Unit followed numerous investigative leads which concluded with an arrest being made in this case. The investigation is on going and involved parties still need to be interviewed so no information about the suspect is being released at this time.





On June 11, 2019 at 1:04 a.m. Aurora Police Officers responded to the 12500 block of East Kansas Place on reports of a shooting in the area. Upon officers arrival they learned four victims self-transported to area hospitals.

 

Among the victims were three adults, and one 17 year old juvenile.  One adult remains in critical condition at this time, while all others are in stable condition.  The relationship between the involved parties, to include the suspect, are not yet known. No further information about those victims or their injuries are currently available.

This investigation remains active and ongoing. It appears at this time this is an isolated incident. When information becomes available about a suspect, and the public’s assistance is requested, we will provide that updated information.

 

We ask anyone who may be a witness or has information about this shooting to please call Aurora Police Agent Ingui at 303-739-6067. Tipsters can also remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 by contacting Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913- STOP (7867).

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 13, 2019 at 10:21 AM
  
On April 24th, 2019 at 6:20 p.m. the Aurora Police Department responded to a traffic crash on East Montview Boulevard at Elmira Street. Upon officers arrival they discovered a vehicle fled from the scene after striking an elderly Hispanic male pedestrian, who later succumbed to his injuries.

A Medina Alert was issued on April 25th, 2019, which led to a citizen notifying police of the location of the vehicle that fled the scene. Officers located the silver 2002 Toyota Camry near an auto body shop in the 1400 block of Ironton Street on April 26, 2019. The auto body shop has been cooperative throughout the investigation.

Today, April 26th, 2019, the driver of the vehicle has since been arrested and identified as Sandra Navarro DOB 06/22/1984. A booking photo has been included with this press release.

Navarro is being charged with the following Colorado Revised Statutes in the 17th Judicial District:

42-4-1601(1), (2)(c)  Hit and Run Involving Death, Felony

18-8-610(1)(a)          Tampering With Physical Evidence, Felony

We continue to ask for anyone who witnessed this fatal crash, or has any information related to it, please call Detective Steve Chinn at 303.739.6342.

Any additional media inquires should be directed to the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office Public Information Officer Sue Lindsay at 303.835.5639.

Crystal McCoy
Media Relations Unit
720-432-5095

Sandra Navarro

previously released on April 26, 2019:

The Aurora Police Department (APD) and our Traffic Section is relieved to announce the suspect vehicle involved in the deadly hit-and-run on East Montview Boulevard and Elmira Street on April 24th, 2019, has been located and an adult female suspect is in custody.

Thanks to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a Medina Alert was activated on April 25th, 2019. Denver Metro Crime Stoppers (DMCS) then aided our investigation by offering a reward of up to $2,000.00 for tips related to this incident. Thanks to CBI, DMCS and a keen citizen, the suspect vehicle was located today, Friday April 26, 2019. Subsequently, an adult female suspect was arrested at approximately 5:20 p.m. by APD.

The citizen, who wishes to remain anonymous, observed the suspect vehicle in an alley in the 1400 Block of Ironton Street near an auto repair shop this morning, and immediately notified APD. 

We can now confirm the suspect vehicle is a silver 2002 Toyota Camry, registered to an address in Aurora. Until all necessary investigative steps have been completed, no further information will be released regarding the suspect vehicle, or the registered owner. With this update, APD has requested CBI cancel the Medina Alert.
 
APD Traffic Detectives will consult with the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office to determine formal charges. Once a determination of formal charges are made the identity of the driver being charged, and applicable charges will be publicly released.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Tragically, nine lives have been claimed on our roadways in Aurora in just four short months, three of which were pedestrians struck and killed by vehicles. All fatalities are preventable. Help us saves lives, and JUST DRIVE.
 
We would like to especially thank everyone who took the time to call with information about this tragic accident and tips related to the suspect vehicle.

We continue to ask for anyone who witnessed this fatal crash, or has any information related to it, please call Detective Steve Chinn at 303.739.6342.

Crystal McCoy
Media Relations Unit
720-432-5095


previously released April 24, 2019:

On April 24th, 2019 at 6:20 p.m., a collision involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian in the area of East Montview Boulevard and North Elmira Street was reported to Aurora Police Dispatch. Upon arrival, Rescue Personnel and Police found the pedestrian with serious injuries. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital and despite life saving efforts, was later declared deceased.

The identity of the pedestrian is not being released at this time.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Aurora Police Department Traffic Section or:

Sergeant Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293

This will be the 9th traffic related fatality in Aurora for 2019.
Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 26, 2019 at 11:22 PM
  
UPDATE: During the investigation the Aurora Police Department Major Crimes/Homicide Unit learned the deceased was involved in an incident in the City and County of Denver which appears to be related to his death.  The investigation is being turned over to the Denver Police Department and further inquiries should be directed to them. 



On April 19, 2019 officers responded to the 12600 block of East Exposition Dr for a welfare check.

Once in the area officers located a vehicle with what appeared to be a deceased male inside. Medical personnel responded and the male was pronounced at the scene.

This is an active investigations and detectives are diligently working to gather clues and evidence.

We ask anyone who has information to call Agt. Chad Lampson at 303-739-6013. People who wish to remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward can call the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).

The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause of death and will release the name of the deceased after notification of next of kin.

Officer Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 20, 2019 at 7:53 AM
  
On March 13, 2019 the Aurora Police Major Crime Homicide Unit began investigating the circumstances surrounding a body found along the Sand Creek Trail in the midst of a historic blizzard dubbed Bomb Cyclone Ulmer by weather officials.

Since then, that body has been positively identified as Martin Galdamez-Galdamez DOB 7/25/1994, and is now being investigated as a homicide. At this time there are no additional details available.

Anyone that has information about this incident are requested to call Agent Szuch at 303-739-6068 or remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2000 by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095


Information Previously Released March 14, 2019:

On March 13, 2019, about 1:55 PM, people were walking in the 2700 block of Sand Creek, a section that parallels East Fitzsimons Parkway, just east of the Light Rail parking lot.

The people were looking for a runaway dog and found what appeared to be a human body. The Aurora Police Department responded to the scene and confirmed it was a human body. The body was not removed until this afternoon due to the extreme weather conditions from the day before. The cause of death has not been determined and will be done by the Adams County Coroner’s Office.

The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes/Homicide Unit is actively investigating this case as a homicide. We ask anyone that has information or who might have observed something to please call Agent Szuch at 303-739-6068. People can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $2000 by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).

The Coroner’s Office will release the name of the deceased after positive identification has been made and the next of kin has been notified.

Officer Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Mar 19, 2019 at 10:53 AM
  
On March 4, 2019, at 8:44 a.m., Aurora Police Officers were dispatched to the 2200 block of North Dallas Street in response to an unknown male who called 911 reporting there were hostages inside of an apartment. The male advised parties had been injured by someone with a machete.

Upon officers arrival they knocked on the apartment door announcing themselves. An adult female answered the door, and was escorted out of the residence for safety. Officers made additional announcements ordering anyone else inside of the apartment to come out. An adult black male immediately appeared, and was actively threatening officers with a machete despite officer’s commands to drop the machete. One officer deployed their less-lethal Taser, and another officer discharged their weapon striking the armed male subject stopping the threat. Officers immediately rendered First Aid to the male who was then transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The identity of the male will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office pending positive identification, and notification of his next-of-kin. No one else was injured as a result of this incident to include the responding officers. 

All responding officers were equipped with Body Worn Cameras, and were activated as required throughout this incident. The involved officer has worked for the Aurora Police Department for nearly two years, and has not been in any prior officer-involved shootings. The officer will be placed on administrative leave per Aurora Police Department policy.

The incident is being investigated by members of the Aurora Police Department, Denver Police Department and the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in accordance with Senate Bill 15-219. Once this investigation is complete it will be presented to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for criminal culpability review. We are requesting all members of the public who were a witness to the officer-involved shooting to contact Agent Jamie Krieger at 303.739.6113.

At the request of the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, we cannot provide any additional details at this time in order to protect the integrity of the investigation, and all who are involved. All further media inquiries should be directed to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office Public Information Officer Sue Lindsay.

Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Mar 04, 2019 at 4:17 PM
  

On January 30, 2019, at approximately 12:21 A.M. Aurora Police Department officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of North Kingston Street on a report of a shooting. When the officers arrived they located a male victim laying on the sidewalk. The male was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes/Homicide Unit is conducting the investigation. We are asking members of the public who have any information to call Detective Todd Fredericksen at (303) 739-6106. Tipsters can also remain anonymous and be eligible for a rewards of up to $2,000 by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.

The deceased victim will be identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office pending the notification of next of kin.

Officer Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Jan 30, 2019 at 8:36 AM
  

On Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 1:59 a.m. the Aurora Police Department Public Safety Communications Department received a 911 call from an occupant of a residence at 1473 South Kenton Street, who was reporting a party inside the home was armed with a firearm and acting erratically.

 As officers arrived they could hear active gunfire. Officers were confronted by an armed adult male who was wearing body armor. The armed male exchanged gunfire with officers. The armed party was struck by gunfire which stopped the ongoing and active threat.

 Soon thereafter, officers discovered another adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

 Both the armed party and injured adult male found lying on the floor were transported to a local hospital where they both succumbed to their injuries.

The decedents will be positively identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after notifications are made to next of kin.

Officers present at the scene were equipped with and properly utilized department issued body-worn cameras.

 This investigation is being handled by the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit in conjunction with the Denver Police Department. This is due to the passage of Senate Bill 15-219 which requires law enforcement agencies to team up with neighboring agencies to investigate officer involved shootings.

 Police are asking anyone who might have witnessed this incident to call Agent Randy Hansen with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303-739-6710.

If further information becomes available for public release we will provide an update on this news blog.

Aurora Police Department  
Public Information Officer
Anthony Camacho
[email protected]

Posted by [email protected]  On Jan 15, 2019 at 7:50 AM
  

On Saturday December 29, 2018, at approximately 9:35 P.M. Aurora Police Department Officers were flagged down and notified of a possible shooting victim in the Walgreens Parking lot located at 12051 East Mississippi Ave.  Officers quickly arrived and found a deceased male in the parking lot. 

The victim will be identified at a later date by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office, pending notification of next of kin. 

The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes/ Homicide Unit has taken over this criminal investigation. If anyone has any information related to this incident they are asked to contact Detective Del Matticks at (303) 739-6367. Tipsters can also remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.

Ofc. Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720-432-5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Dec 30, 2018 at 12:51 AM
  
On December 9th, 2018, at about 5:45 PM, Patrol Officers responded to a call of a car that hit a wheel chair at East Colfax Avenue and Boston Street.  They found a 62 year old male that had tried to cross northbound across East Colfax Avenue in the street.  Witnesses told them that the vehicle that struck the wheel chair fled the scene.  A short time later, the vehicle was located about a block away unoccupied.  At about that same time, the driver of the vehicle returned to the scene. 

The vehicle was a red 1998 Isuzu Rodeo.  The driver and sole occupant was not injured.  The person in the wheel chair was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

Traffic Investigators are handling this investigation.  It will be some time before appropriate charges are determined.  At this point, speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in this crash.  The names of those involved are not being released at this time.

Sergeant William Revelle
Traffic Section
Posted by [email protected]  On Dec 09, 2018 at 7:44 PM
  
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