Aurora Police News
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The Aurora Police News Blog was created in 2016 as a new way to share news and information from the Aurora Police Department with the community we serve. It is maintained by the staff of the Public Information Officer. 

Public Information Officer Staff:

Sergeant Faith Goodrich - Unit Supervisor
Agent Matthew Longshore - Public Information Officer
Joe Moylan - Public Information Officer
Sydney Edwards - Public Information Officer 

To reach a member of the Public Information Officer call 720.432.5095 or email [email protected]. If you are a member of the public and you have a question, general request, comment or concern, please email [email protected].

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The men and women of the Aurora Police Department are committed to making a Aurora a safer place everyday.

DISCLAIMER: Information is subject to change as case investigations proceed. Individuals arrested on the basis of probable cause have not been charged. All arrestees are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. 


Recent Posts
December 2018 - Posts

On December 30th at about 6:12 PM, Aurora Police and Fire responded to the intersection of S. Chambers Rd and E. Belleview Ave for a crash.   

Responding units found that a Toyota van and a Lincoln SUV had collided in the intersection.  The van was occupied by two people and the Lincoln had one occupant.  They were all transported to local hospitals.  The passenger of the Toyota died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. 

Investigators from the Aurora Police Traffic Unit are working to determine the cause of the crash.  At this time it appears that the Toyota was traveling south on Chambers and the Lincoln was turning left from northbound Chambers onto westbound Belleview.  The investigation will focus on determining which vehicle had the right-of-way.  Neither speed nor intoxication appear to be factors in the crash.  

 The identities of the people involved are not being released at this time.  The Arapahoe County Coroner may release the identity of the deceased at a later date.

Sergeant Christopher Carleton
Aurora Police Traffic Unit

Posted by [email protected]  On Dec 30, 2018 at 10:08 PM
  

On December 30, 2018 at about 6:42 AM, Aurora Police and Fire responded to E. 33rd Ave. and N. Oakland St. on a report of a crash involving a pickup and a RTD bus.  Once on scene they found that the pickup had been traveling east in the westbound lanes of traffic and struck the bus head-on.  Two people from the bus were transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.  The female driver and only occupant of the pickup appears to have died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

  At this time, it is unknown why the pickup crossed into the oncoming traffic lanes.  The Aurora Police Traffic Unit is investigating this crash with assistance from RTD and the Adams County Coroner’s office.   The Adams County Coroner will release the identity of the deceased at a later date.

Sergeant Christopher Carleton
Traffic Operations
Aurora Police Department
Aurora, CO 80012
303-739-6243
[email protected]


Posted by [email protected]  On Dec 30, 2018 at 11:35 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
  

On December 9th, 2018 at 6:14 am, Aurora Dispatch received a call of a single car rollover accident in the area of East Baranmor Parkway and North Quentin Street in northwest Aurora. When officers and rescue personnel arrived on scene, the lone occupant driver was found ejected from the vehicle. Life saving measures were initiated and the driver was transported to a nearby hospital. The driver was later declared deceased.

Speed does appear to be a factor in this accident, but the involvement of other factors is unknown. The identity of the driver is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

This accident marks the 30th accident related fatality in Aurora for 2018.

Questions or information related to this incident can be directed to:

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

Posted by [email protected]  On Dec 09, 2018 at 8:45 AM
  
Chief Metz has released the following statement today, December 3, 2018, in regards to an officer-involved shooting that occurred on July 30, 2018 at 10609 East Montview Boulevard:

"On July 30, 2018, Aurora Police officers were involved in a tragic incident where Richard “Gary” Black was shot by police. Officers responded to reports of an intruder attacking a child. The officers approached Mr. Black’s home upon hearing shots fired from inside. Officers then saw a man with a gun and a flashlight in hand. For reasons unknown to those officers, the man did not respond to commands to drop the weapon and an officer shot him. At the time, the officers did not know the man was Mr. Black and he had just shot the intruder who was viciously attacking his grandson.

The case was referred to the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s office, who issued a “declination” letter earlier today, which can be found here. The District Attorney has determined the evidence in this case does not support the filing of any criminal charges against the officer in discharging his weapon in the fatal shooting.

We understand the public’s interest in this tragic case. The Department weighs this along with its responsibility to protect the child victim, as well as the family’s privacy interests. In consult with the family, we are sharing a mutually-agreeable portion of the involved officer’s body-worn-camera in this chaotic incident.

The officer who shot Mr. Black currently remains in a non-enforcement role. With the release of the DA’s declination letter, an internal investigation will begin.

This was a heartbreaking and tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Mr. Black’s family and those involved."







Information previously released on August 2, 2018

UPDATE: On Thursday August 2, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. Aurora Police Department Chief Nick Metz held a joint press conference with the 17th Judicial Assistant District Attorney Jess Redman and the18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler to address updates that can be released.

Chief Metz opened with a heartfelt statement, and acknowledged Mr. Richard “Gary” Black’s distinguished life such as being a Vietnam War Veteran, a purple heart recipient, and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Mr. Black’s family attended a private viewing of the body worn camera footage and listened to Mrs. Black’s 911 call with members of the Aurora Police Department Command Staff. As a result of this, the family made a public statement requesting the Aurora Police Department to not release Mrs. Black's 911 call. They wished to be allowed to grieve, and did not want Mr. Black’s life to be remembered in this way.

The 17th Judicial Assistant District Attorney Jess Redman spoke to their stance on requesting the Aurora Police Department to not release the body warn camera at this time.

A copy of all 911 calls, with the exception of Mrs. Blacks, a copy of our Officer-Involved-Shooting Directive, the International Associated of Chiefs of Police guidelines on Officer-Involved-Shootings, the statement from the Black family, and the entire video of this press conference will be uploaded onto your YouTube channel and/or at the below links:

Statement from the Black Family

Aurora Police Department Officer Involved Shooting Directive

IACP Officer Involved Shooting Guidelines

Statement Regarding Psychological Services After OIS Events 

911 and Police Radio Traffic Recordings

Press Conference Packet 



Aurora Police Department Media Relations Unit
720-432-5095
[email protected]


Information previously released on July 30th, 2018:


On July 30, 2018, at approximately 1:29 a.m., the Aurora Public Safety Dispatch Center (PSDC) received multiple 911 calls advising there was a disturbance in the area of North Iola Street and East Montview Boulevard.

The PSDC received another 911 call from an adult female at 10609 East Montview Boulevard advising an adult male intruder was breaking into her home.

Aurora Police Officers arrived to a very chaotic and violent scene at 10609 East Montview Boulevard. While on scene officers heard gunshots fired from inside the home, and encountered an armed adult male. An officer discharged his firearm striking the armed male who was transported to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
  
The officers then cleared the home to ensure the scene was safe. Inside, officers found an injured juvenile and the deceased adult male intruder on the bathroom floor. The injured juvenile was later transported to a local hospital for serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, caused by the deceased intruder.

Further investigation revealed the armed male encountered by the officer was a resident of the home. Our preliminary investigation has revealed the deceased intruder on the bathroom floor was fatally shot by the armed adult male resident.

The names of the decedents will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office once they have been positively identified and next of kin have been notified.

The involved officer has been placed on administrative reassignment with pay as per Aurora Police Department Policy.

The investigation into this incident is being handled by the Aurora Police Major Crimes 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. We are requesting all members of the public who were a witness to the officer-involved shooting to contact Detective Randy Hansen at 303.739.6710

We are working jointly with the Denver Police Department and the 17th Judicial District to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. However, at the request of the 17th Judicial District, we cannot provide any additional details at this time in order to protect the integrity of the investigation, and all who are involved. We anticipate a more detailed press conference later this week once all officers involved have been interviewed.

This is a very heartbreaking and tragic situation for everyone involved. We are providing assistance through our victim advocates to help the family of the deceased resident through this very difficult time.

Chief Nick Metz
Aurora Police Department


Officer Kenneth Forrest
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095


Posted by [email protected]  On Dec 03, 2018 at 8:34 PM
  
On December 2nd, 2018, at about 5:16 PM, an Aurora Police Officer in a marked Police Vehicle on routine patrol spotted a reported stolen vehicle from Denver in the area of East Colfax Avenue and Scranton Street.  The stolen vehicle was a gold 1998 Toyota Rav 4 going east on East Colfax Avenue.  The Officer got behind the vehicle at which point it took off continuing eastbound at a high rate of speed.  The Officer never activated his emergency lights or attempted to stop the Toyota before it sped away.

The Officer could see that the vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic.  The vehicle was about a half mile away when the Officer saw a large cloud of dust that was caused by the Toyota crashing into another car.  The Officer went to the crash scene and rendered aid to the occupants of both vehicles until Aurora Fire Rescue arrived.

The investigation revealed that the Toyota was eastbound East Colfax Avenue at a high rate of speed.  It failed to stop for the red light at the northbound I225 off-ramp.  A silver 2008 Hyundai Sonata was going north across East Colfax Avenue when it was struck by the Toyota.

The male driver and sole occupant of the Toyota was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.  Numerous charges are pending against him.  The female driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai was transported to an area hospital with non life threatening injuries.  The names of those involved are not being released at this time.

The Aurora Police Department is asking that any witnesses contact us at 303 739 6374.

Sergeant William Revelle
Aurora Police Traffic Section
Posted by [email protected]  On Dec 02, 2018 at 7:49 PM
  
 
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