Aurora Police News
Our blog has MOVED. Please go to: https://www.auroragov.org/residents/public_safety/police/APD_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].

Colorado Criminal Justice Records (CCJRA) can be obtained by completing an electronic request using our new NextRequest Portal.    

Stay connected and informed by signing up for blog e-mail alerts and by following us on our social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, InstagramYouTube and Nextdoor.

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
February 2021 - Posts
(February 24, 2021) On Monday February 22, 2021, at approximately 9:40 a.m., Aurora Police officers responded to assist Aurora Fire Rescue on a medical call at 17221 East Walsh Way.

Upon arrival officers located an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound inside the residence. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene to investigate a suspicious death. This investigation has since been upgraded to a homicide and is active and ongoing. At this time no arrests have been made, and it is believed this is an isolated incident posing no immediate risk to the general public.

The identity of the deceased was announced in a news release by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office on Wednesday February 24th, 2020 after he was positively identified, and his next-of-kin were notified. We have included their news release here.

Anyone with information about this homicide is encouraged to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867) where tips are anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

CoronerHomicideRelease.pdf

Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 24, 2021 at 4:22 PM
  
(February 23) On Monday, February 22, 2021, at about 2:54 p.m., Aurora police officers responded to a traffic crash on East Exposition Avenue and South Havana Street.

The initial traffic investigation has revealed a commercial trash collection vehicle was stopped in a westbound lane of East Exposition Avenue waiting to make a turn into the northbound South Havana Street lanes of traffic. As the traffic light turned green the commercial trash collection vehicle made the right-hand turn. At this time an 85-year-old male on a bicycle began to cross South Havana Street westbound using the crosswalk and was struck by the commercial trash collection vehicle. The bicyclist was transported to an area hospital where tragically he succumbed to his injuries today, February 23, 2020.

The driver of the commercial trash collection vehicle remained on the scene and was cooperative. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be contributing factors to the accident.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after a positive identification has been made, and his next-of-kin has been notified.

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dash cam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the 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 Feb 23, 2021 at 5:31 PM
  
This afternoon Chief of Police Vanessa Wilson terminated the employment of Officer Robert Lyons for untruthfulness and theft of city time.

Between August 3, 2020 and September 22, 2020, Officer Lyons left work early a total of nine days (34.25 hours) without receiving authorization from his supervisor. He also failed to document his time in the department's time management system as required by department directives.  When he was questioned by a supervisor about taking time off he was untruthful and stated that he had not taken any time off during that period.  

An Internal Affairs Bureau investigation was initiated and during his interview with investigators Officer Lyons admitted to being untruthful when he was questioned by his supervisor about the time off. 

During the discipline review process Officer Lyons was sustained for violating the following Department Directives:

14.2.15 Unsatisfactory Performance
8.2.3 Request for Leave
14.2.2 Making a False or Untruthful Declaration

Chief Wilson's Statement:

“A police officer who chooses to be dishonest forfeits their credibility and becomes ineffective to the judicial system, our police department and the community we serve.

My commitment to rebuild trust with our community will not tolerate such deceptive conduct of an officer who has been given the privilege to wear this badge.

It is disappointing to learn an officer has betrayed their oath. I want to reassure the community I will continue to hold our members accountable for their actions while also recognizing the majority who display unwavering integrity each and every day.”

Officer Lyons was hired in 2017 and was last assigned to District 2 Patrol.  He has had no previous formal discipline. 

Internal Affairs Investigation Summary of Evidence
Disciplinary Order

Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Commanding Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 17, 2021 at 4:32 PM
  

(February 14) On Friday, January 22, 2021, at approximately 12:34 p.m., Aurora police officers responded to a homicide on North Beeler Street and East Colfax Avenue where one adult male was found dead.

The Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit is announcing the arrest of Jerome Deshun Johnson (DOB: 10/11/1986). Johnson was arrested on Friday February 12, 2021 and has been charged with Colorado Revised Statute 18-3-102 Murder in the First Degree in relation to this homicide. The booking photo for Johnson has been provided with this news release.

This homicide is being prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and any additional media inquiries should be directed there.

We continue to encourage anyone with information about this homicide to call Denver Metro Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867) where tips are anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
DJ



(January 22, 2021) On Friday January 22, 2021, at approximately 12:34 p.m., Aurora police officers responded to the southeast corner of North Beeler Street and East Colfax Avenue on multiple reports of a shooting.

Upon arrival officers located an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound in a vehicle. The male was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

Investigators from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are actively investigating to gain more information on a suspect(s) and what led up to the fatal shooting.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office after he has been positively identified, and his next-of-kin have been notified.  

Anyone with information about this homicide is encouraged to call Denver Metro Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867) where tips are anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 14, 2021 at 8:54 PM
  
This afternoon Chief of Police Vanessa Wilson terminated the employment of Officer Robert Rosen for using excessive force during an arrest.

On August 10, 2020 Officer Rosen responded to the King Soopers store located at 6412 South Parker Road to assist a fellow officer who was in contact with an uncooperative man who he was attempting to arrest for trespassing.  The officer who was requesting assistance was on the ground with the man who was passively resisting by laying on his stomach and keeping his arms underneath him.  When Officer Rosen arrived he briefly tried to get the man's arm out without giving any verbal orders. He then escalated the situation by punching the man multiple times in his ribs.  He deployed his Taser a total of five times, for a total of 27 seconds in a two minute period.  During the arrest Officer Rosen never attempted any lesser means of force nor did he make any attempts to deescalate the situation in accordance with Aurora Police training.

The man received minor injuries during the arrest, he was released to paramedics who transported him to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

In accordance with Department Directives a use of force investigation was immediately initiated by a patrol supervisor who reported and documented his concerns about Officer Rosen's actions. This incident was then reviewed by the department's Force Review Board who recommended that it be investigated by the Internal Affairs Bureau for potential directive violations.  

During the Use of Force and Internal Affairs Investigation it was discovered that Officer Rosen had failed to activate his body worn camera when he arrived on scene and failed to document his justifications for each use of force that he used during the arrest.  During the discipline review process Officer Rosen was sustained for violating the following Department Directives:

5.3:  Use of Physical Force
14.2.15: Unsatisfactory Performance
16.4.3: Body Worn Camera Operation
5.8.10: Taser
14.1.1 Lawful Orders

The District Attorney's Office for the 18th Judicial District completed a criminal review of this incident resulting in no criminal charges being filed against Officer Rosen.

“Members of the Aurora Police Department have been working tirelessly to rebuild trust in our community and I want to thank those officers who do it right everyday. The actions of Mr. Rosen were in direct contradiction of those efforts," said Chief Vanessa Wilson. “The poor decisions he made that day do not meet the high standards that the community and I expect from my officers.”

Mr. Rosen was hired in 2017 and was last assigned to District 3 Patrol. In 2020 Officer Rosen received a 10 hour suspension for Lawful Orders.

Internal Affairs Investigation Summary of Evidence
Order of Discipline

In the interest of transparency we are releasing the body worn camera footage which shows the vantage point of the original officer on scene.  


WARNING:  This body worn camera footage may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Commanding Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095 
Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 11, 2021 at 4:18 PM
  
(February 2, 2021) On Sunday July 5th, 2020 at 1:45 a.m., a 31-year-old man was shot to death on East Colfax Avenue at North Beeler Street

Today, the Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit is announcing the arrest of Dontavious Hetzel (9/13/1992) for Accessory to 1st Degree Murder for his role in the murder on July 5th, 2020. 

Dontavious was arrested by local law enforcement in Georgia yesterday and is awaiting extradition to Colorado.

We want to thank our law enforcement partners in Georgia for their work and our Major Crimes Detectives for their continued dedication to this case.

We should also mention that Master Titus Uriah Martin (4/19/2000) was arrested September of 2020 for his warrant of 1st Degree Murder.

Both booking photos are provided below. 

Any additional details about this case will need to be obtained by the prosecuting office, the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office.


Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095

Hetzel, Dontavious 
  Dontavious Hetzel

Master Martin
Master Martin


information previously released

On Sunday July 5th, 2020 at 1:45 a.m., a 31-year-old man was shot to death on East Colfax Avenue at North Beeler Street.  The identity of the deceased can be confirmed by the Adam’s County Coroner’s Office. 

Today, the Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit is announcing they have obtained a First-Degree Murder warrant for the arrest of Master Titus Uriah Martin born April 19th, 2000, in relation to the July 5th homicide.  In an effort maintain the integrity of the ongoing criminal investigation, and the subsequent prosecution, the Aurora Police Department will not be publicly releasing a photo of Master Martin at this time.  

Master Martin is believed to be armed, and a danger to our community.  While the Aurora Police Department continues to work tirelessly to locate and safely apprehend Master Martin, we are also hopeful he will turn himself in.  

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP where your tips will remain anonymous, and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.00.

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


(July 5th, 2020) Early this morning at approximately 1:45 A.M., Aurora Police Officers were called to the area of East Colfax Avenue and North Beeler Street on reports of a shooting.

When officers arrived on scene, they found a 31-year-old on the ground who had been shot. The male was transported to an area hospital where, unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim’s identity will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office once he has been positively identified and his next of kin have been notified.

Investigators from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and actively investigating. At this early stage in the investigation, it is unknown what led up to the incident and there is no suspect information.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call our Homicide Unit at 303.739.6077 or they can remain anonymous by contacting Denver Metro Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867) and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Feb 02, 2021 at 3:45 PM
  
 
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