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].

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

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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
April 2021 - Posts
(April 29) On Sunday, April 4th, 2021, at approximately 07:15 p.m., District 2 Patrol Officers responded to a shooting at East 35th Avenue and Helena Street.

Officers located an adult male who had been shot and was immediately transported to the hospital. This male suffered fatal injuries and was declared brain dead on April 7th, 2021. An autopsy was performed on April 12th by the Adams County Coroner where it was then officially ruled a homicide. This case is actively being investigated by our Major Crimes Homicide Unit and has not yet resulted in any arrests. Detectives have been able to determine that the incident and shooting happened after the victim left the Maverik Gas Station at North Chambers Road and East 38th Avenue. Detectives were able to identify three vehicles that were potentially involved in this homicide. Those vehicles, pictured below, are believed to be a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, a Volkswagen sedan, and a BWM 7 Series.

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

Anyone that has information about this case is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095

Suspect Vehicle Suspect 2 Suspect 3
Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 29, 2021 at 10:51 AM
  
(April 28) On Wednesday, April 28th, 2021, at about 12:50 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to a vehicle crash involving an RTD Train on North Chambers Road at Smith Road.

Initial investigation reveals that a sedan was traveling westbound on Smith Road and turned to go northbound on North Chambers Road. Preliminary information obtained by investigators confirms that the driver disregarded the lowered level crossing signals as the train approached. The sedan then made contact with an RTD A-Line Commuter Rail Train traveling eastbound on the tracks. The sole occupant of the vehicle, an adult male, was transported to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. There were 43 people traveling on the RTD train, two of them were evaluated by medical personal but not transported to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle is an adult male in his 30's. His identification will not be released at this time. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were aggravating factors relating to this crash.

Traffic Unit Investigators will continue to investigate and attempt to reconstruct the scene to calculate speeds and other contributing factors. Part of the investigation will include working closely with RTD to obtain and review surveillance camera footage from the intersection to determine if the level crossing signals and lights/audible bell were functioning properly. 

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dashcam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).

Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 28, 2021 at 4:38 PM
  
On Wednesday March 7, 2021 around 9:00 p.m., the Aurora Police Department Public Safety Dispatch Center began receiving numerous calls from citizens reporting “street racers” were intentionally blocking traffic and driving recklessly on southbound Interstate-225. The callers reported, and officers subsequently found, this was significantly impeding the flow of traffic on Interstate-225, and was preventing many, including law enforcement, from traveling through the area safely.

Multiple officers responding to the area observed traffic was in fact slowing or stopped on southbound Interstate-225 between East Alameda Avenue and East Colfax Avenue. It took approximately 20 minutes for officers to be able to navigate through this area upon their arrival.

Officers were observing some vehicles engaging in “burnouts” which is a term commonly referred to when a driver intentionally keeps a vehicle stationary by applying the brakes while simultaneously applying the gas pedal. As a result, smoke is generated from the wheels due to the friction from the roadway and significantly impedes visibility on the roadway. Additionally, officers observed fireworks had been ignited into the air, and they were receiving reports some of the vehicle occupants were holding guns out of their vehicle windows.

Officers initially reported 600-800 vehicles were involved and through further investigation it is unclear exactly how many people were impacted versus intentionally involved in impeding the flow of traffic and other unlawful traffic violations. Regardless, many individuals were unjustly caught in a potentially dangerous situation, law enforcements ability to respond through the area was significantly impacted, and the incident, referred to by some as a “highway takeover”, created potential to impede anyone’s ability to get through the area to nearby hospitals.

As a result, an investigation was immediately initiated by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit with a focus on the organizers or facilitators of the highway takeover. This investigation has resulted in two individuals being identified as being involved or facilitating.

One such individual, a juvenile male, has been issued a state criminal summons with a mandatory court appearance into the Arapahoe County Court for the following Colorado Revised Statues:

• 42-4-1401(1) Reckless Driving
• 42-2-138 (1)(a) Drove Vehicle While License Cancelled
• 42-4-1105 (2)(a) Engaged in Speed Exhibition

Due to the subject involved being a juvenile, and to not further impact the prosecution of this incident, no further information will be provided at this time regarding the juvenile.

The second party investigated as an organizer or facilitator is Anthony Corona DOB 3/2/2000. Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit investigators believe probable cause existed to charge Mr. Corona under the following Colorado Revised Statutes:

• 18-2-201 Conspiracy
• 18-3-208 Reckless Endangerment
• 18-9-107 Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway
• 18-3-303 False Imprisonment
o 45 False Imprisonment counts reflecting the identified victims trapped on I-225 during incident
• 18-9-106 Disorderly Conduct
• 42-4-1105 Exhibition of Speed
• 42-4-1401 Reckless Driving
• 42-4-1103 Impeded Normal Flow of Traffic

Mr. Corona died in a traffic crash in Broomfield on April 4, 2021, before Aurora Police Traffic Unit investigators could formally file the above charges against him with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Any additional information on the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Corona should be directed to the Broomfield Police Department as they are the investigating agency. Due to Mr. Corona’s death the investigation being conducted by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit has been closed.

Traffic related injuries and deaths are not only predictable, they are preventable when related to illegal street racing, highway takeovers or other unlawful driving behaviors. Additionally, these incidents are a nuisance and victimize our residential and business communities, and it will not be tolerated by the Aurora Police Department.

The City will now be using Aurora Municipal Code (AMC) 137-7 to target the owners of vehicles that are involved in illegal activities on the roadways regardless of whether they were the driver of the vehicle. Illegal activities include but are not limited to the following traffic violations:

• Section 1401: Reckless Driving
• Section 1402: Careless Driving
• Section 1105: Speed Contest—Speed Exhibitions
• Section 94-71: Trespass
• Section 94-38: Reckless Endangerment

Owners vehicles identified in illegal activities will be provided a notice letter that if the activity continues, they could be subject to prosecution under AMC137-7. A portion of that notice letter reads:

“As the vehicle owner, you are hereby notified that you must make a good faith effort to prevent, through appropriate action or otherwise, any person from re-committing any of the above acts or other street racing related acts contrary to law with your vehicle.”

We would like to thank the many members of the public for their patience while we investigated this complex incident. Additionally, we want to thank those who proactively provided assistance in this investigation. We continue to encourage everyone to report street racing to www.ReportStreetRacing.com. The Aurora Police Department is an active member of this working group of over 30 law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan area.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 28, 2021 at 9:46 AM
  

Aurora Police Department’s K9 Loki will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.  K9 Loki’s vest is sponsored by Darby Kelly and Vanessa Ernissee of Heroes with Paws

and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Heroes with Paws”.  Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

 Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified.  Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,247 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. 

 The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.  K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate.  There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

 Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest.  Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.  For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978.  Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.   

Loki

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095

 

Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 23, 2021 at 2:51 PM
  

Aurora Police Department’s K9 Factor will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Factor’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed”.  Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

 Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified.  Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,247 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. 

 The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.  K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate.  There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

 Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest.  Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.  For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978.  Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.   

Factor

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095

 

Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 22, 2021 at 6:17 PM
  

The Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force, which consists of the Aurora Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, partnered in a two-day online operation targeting those who engage in the enticement of children for sexual purposes online.

This operation was conducted on April 8th and 9th, 2021, within the city of Aurora resulting in the arrest of the below suspects who were attempting to arrange sexual encounters with a minor. We have provided the suspects name, age, self-declared or otherwise known profession, and their self-declared city of residence as follows:

  • Edgar R. Pando-Caprio, 23, Denver, is employed as a contracted overnight janitor working within the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD). The CCSD is aware of this arrest and will independently provide additional information to staff, parents and the public.
  • Laurentino Espinoza-Pena, 56, Aurora, is a self-employed providing maintenance services
  • Tommy Kilcher, 43, Aurora, self-declared employment at Cardinal Health
  • Joseph M. Goetz, 59, Aurora, self-declared Business Owner of Rio Leasing LLC
  • Jeremy J. Steward, 42, Aurora, historically reported as working in the restaurant/bar industry
  • Brent W. Murray II, 30, Highlands Ranch, has historically self-declared employment as a drone pilot and with USA Security.
  • Joshua J. Wagner, 46, Denver, did not declare employment at time of arrest
  • Dylan J. Cornhoff, 27, Aurora, did not declare employment at time of arrest 
  • Peter D. Rodriguez, 50, Denver, declared employment with a company only identified as Performance and worked as a loader
  • Joshua D. Garcia, 37, Westminster, declared employment with Hertz as a car attendant

The above suspects, also shown in the attached image, were individually charged with at least the following Colorado Revised Statutes, and prosecution will be handled by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office:

  • 18-7-402 Soliciting for Child Prostitution, a Class 3 Felony
  • 18-2-101 Criminal Attempt, a Class 4 Felony
  • 18-7-40 Patronizing of a Prostituted Child, a Class 4 Felony

Our ongoing partnerships with HSI and CBI are invaluable to the Aurora Police Department and the communities we all serve. This collaboration contributed greatly to the overall success of the operation, and our commitment to safety for our community members both online and offline.

According to HSI, “We are proud to work closely with our partners including Aurora PD and Colorado Bureau of Investigations to protect children and arrest individuals who prey on children,” said Steven Cagen, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Denver. “Child sex abuse is one of the most serious crimes HSI investigates due to the lasting psychological and physical damage it can inflict on victims.”

The Aurora Police ICAC Unit, HSI, and CBI would like to remind parents to be aware of and have an active role in your child’s online presence.  Have discussions with the children in your life about the dangers of online chats or conversations, especially with strangers. We strongly encourage parents to routinely monitor your child’s online activity to prevent them from becoming a victim of a child sex predator or worse.

To learn more about online safety and the Aurora Police Department ICAC Unit please click HERE or copy and paste this URL into your browser:

https://www.auroragov.org/residents/public_safety/police/aurora_for_youth/online_safety_for_kids

Any additional media inquiries related to this operation and associated arrests are respectfully requested to be directed to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office during the prosecution phase.

ChildEnticementOperationArrest.PNG

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 20, 2021 at 12:57 PM
  
(April 6) On Tuesday, April 6th, 2021, at about 5:15 P.M., Aurora Police responded to a single vehicle crash on South Peoria Street near East Alameda Avenue.

Initial investigation reveals that an SUV was traveling southbound on South Peoria Street. The SUV appears to have lost control and struck a tree. The sole occupant of the vehicle, an adult male, was transported to an area hospital where he has been pronounced deceased. Investigators believe that weather was a contribution factor to this crash.

Traffic Unit Investigators will continue to investigate and attempt to reconstruct the scene to determine speeds and other contributing factors. At this time, we do not believe that alcohol was involved.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after positive identification and next-of-kin notifications.

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dashcam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).

Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 06, 2021 at 7:29 PM
  
 
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