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
June 2022 - Posts
(June 27) On June 26, 2022 at about 11:45 p.m., Aurora Police Officers were notified of a shooting that occurred near North Ursula Street and East 13th Place after an adult female was brought to the hospital with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Sadly, she did not survive and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Officers located the crime scene and Investigators from the Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded. As the lead investigators for this incident, they will try to determine all facts and circumstances leading up to the shooting.

The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased victim once she is positively identified and next of kin has been notified.

If you have any information about this shooting, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 and may remain anonymous.


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 27, 2022 at 10:51 AM
  

(June 25) On June 24, 2022 at about 9:25 p.m., Aurora Police Department were called the area of 880 South Buckley Road for reports of someone shot in a vehicle.  When they arrived, they found an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The male was transported to the hospital by Aurora Fire Rescue, where he remains in stable condition.

Investigation by responding patrol officers determined this shooting occurred near 18100 East Kentucky Avenue and there were possibly more victims.  Officers went to the address and found one adult male inside the location who also had an apparent gunshot wound.  Sadly, that male was pronounced deceased on scene.

Officers located and detained Kayan Arizona Cruz, 27 years-old, on scene. He was taken into custody without a use of force.  Ultimately he was arrested on charges of 2nd Degree Murder.  The case will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office.  

The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased victim once he is positively identified and next of kin has been notified.   

Investigators from the Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to both scenes and will lead the inquiry into what led up to the shooting.  If you have information about this incident and have not spoken to investigators, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.  Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible to receive a reward of up to $2,000. 

K.Cruz Booking Photo

Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095


Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 25, 2022 at 7:58 AM
  

(June 23) On Tuesday June 22, 2021 at 10:21 a.m., Ryan Scott Avery DOB: 12-31-1981 was taken into custody by the Aurora Police Department without incident.  

The Major Crimes Homicide Unit has since filed charges into the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office against Mr. Avery for Colorado Revised Statute 18-3-102 (1)(a) Murder in the First Degree, a Class 1 Felony.

Mr. Avery's Aurora Police Department booking photo has been included with this news release.  Any additional media inquiries should be directed to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's office regarding this investigation.

We continue to request anyone with any information about this homicide to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP where tips can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.00

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720-432-5095

RyanScottAvery



On Sunday June 20, 2021 at approximately 8:26 a.m. officers responded to a residence at 1620 South Granby Street on a report of a shooting.

Upon officer’s arrival they located a deceased adult woman in the home with an apparent gunshot wound. No one else was found in or around the home. The name of the deceased victim is not being released at this time and will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office at a later time.

The initial investigation had led to Ryan Scott Avery DOB: 12-31-1981 as being a person of interest in this homicide. Avery and the deceased are known to one another.

Avery is described as a white male, 5’11” tall, 155 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be driving a 2008 Silver Lexus IS 4-door bearing Colorado license plate BIX-360 (see attached images).

Investigators believe Avery was in Limon, Colorado on June 19, 2021 in the evening. At this time, officers are working diligently to determine his whereabouts.

Avery also has a nationwide warrant for his arrest in an attempted homicide investigation in Elizabeth, Colorado which occurred on June 19th, 2021. Avery is considered armed and dangerous. If seen, do not approach and call 911.

The Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation into this homicide.  It is in the very early stages and at this time there is no additional information that is being released.

Anyone who witnessed this shooting or has information about the case is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. By using Crime Stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095 

 

Ryan AveryVehicle FrontVehicle rear
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 23, 2022 at 4:00 PM
  
(June 23) On the evening of June 18, John Jaros was shot and killed while driving on Interstate 70 with his family. Since the time of this tragic incident, Investigators have been working tirelessly to secure justice for this victim and his family.

In the early morning hours of June 23, 2022, the Major Crimes Homicide Unit arrested Jeremy Jacob Rocha, 20 years-old, in Commerce City. Investigators identified multiple witnesses, involved vehicles, collected evidence and conducted several interviews. Their hard work paid off.

Jeremy Rocha was arrested on charges of 1st Degree Murder and four counts of Attempted 1st Degree Murder.

Jeremy Rocha's booking photograph is below.

This case will be prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District.

There was a press conference this afternoon regarding this investigation. You can view that here.


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

Rocha, Jeremy


Information previously released

(June 18) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of Eastbound I-70 just west of exit 288 (E Colfax Ave).

On June 18, 2022 at 5:35 p.m. Aurora 911 dispatch received a call from a female saying someone was shot on Eastbound I-70. Aurora Police Officers and the Aurora Fire Department responded to Eastbound I-70 just west of exit 288 (Colfax Ave) and located a white 2020 Dodge Ram pickup truck on the right shoulder. Officers located an adult male in the driver side of the pickup truck suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. This male was tragically pronounced deceased.

Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and will be responsible for this investigation. Preliminary investigation is that there were potential street racers on the highway, a white sedan and a black sedan might be involved. It appears that the Dodge Ram was not involved in the street racing, several shots were fired striking the Dodge Ram and fatally wounded the adult male driver. There were four other passengers in the Dodge Ram pickup including three minor children.

The Adams County Coroner's Officer will release the victim's name after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.

Anyone with information that has not yet spoken to police is asked to reach out to the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit Detective Eric White at 303.739.6113 tipsters can be eligible for up to $10,000 reward from the Aurora Reward Fund, or the Metro Denver Crimes Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Officer Elizabeth McGregor
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 23, 2022 at 2:42 PM
  

(June 21) On June 20, 2022 at about 11:25 p.m. officers were called to the intersection of South Peoria Street and East Alameda Avenue for a serious crash.  Investigation showed a blue Pontiac Grand Prix was traveling northbound on South Peoria Street ata high rate of speed.  A blue Subaru Impreza was westbound on East Alameda Avenue going through the intersection on a green light.  The Pontiac ran the red light and struck the Subaru. 

Sadly, the adult driver and sole occupant, of the Subaru was pronounced deceased on scene.  The driver and passenger of the Pontiac sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported from the scene to the hospital. 

The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the victim once next of kin has been notified. 

The Aurora Police Traffic Section is the lead investigator on this crash.  It appears speed is possibly a factor but they will determine if anything else contributed.  We ask that anyone who witnessed this crash or has dash-camera footage of the crash, to please contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section if they haven't already spoken to the investigators

This is the 20th fatal crash and the 21st traffic fatality of 2022. 

Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 21, 2022 at 5:25 AM
  
The Aurora Police Department will be conducting Stationary Roadside Sobriety Checkpoint on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. This is part of our continuing commitment to the statewide effort to combat drunk drivers and reduce alcohol related traffic accidents and fatalities. This checkpoint is part of the DUI Checkpoint Colorado program that will be continuing through Labor Day weekend. This checkpoint will be located near East Alameda Avenue and South Potomac Street.

Motorists passing through the checkpoint will be contacted briefly by an officer who will be looking for signs of intoxication and/or impairment in the driver. The checkpoint should cause only minor inconvenience to traffic along the targeted roadway, and highly visible signage will be posted leading into the checkpoint screening area. Drivers entering a checkpoint are asked to pay close attention to the officers directing traffic through the area. Motorists should also roll down their drivers' side window as they approach the screening area. This allows for better communication between the motorist and the officer, quicker screening, and a shorter delay overall.

The checkpoint is funded by an N.H.T.S.A. (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) grant in partnership with the "Heat is On" campaign and administered by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 16, 2022 at 3:37 PM
  
(June 13) The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is leading this investigation following a pursuit this afternoon that started in Denver and ended in Aurora. Two Denver Police Officers were hurt and one other man has life-threatening injuries following an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

About 12:05 p.m. today, the Denver Police Department tweeted about a shooting in the 7900 block of East Northfield Boulevard, what we now know is the parking lot of Bass Pro Shops. According to Denver Police, they immediately began investigating the incident and relaying information to officers regarding the suspect and vehicle used in this incident.

About 4:30 p.m., Denver Police Officers spotted this same vehicle in the area or East 46th Avenue and Tower Road. A pursuit of that vehicle went southbound on Tower Road, merged onto eastbound Interstate 70 and finally to southbound Interstate 225. Just south of the East 17th Avenue exit, Denver Police Officers used a "pursuit intervention technique", also known as a PIT maneuver, to disable the suspect’s vehicle.

After the PIT maneuver, multiple different vehicles were struck, but it ultimately stopped the suspect’s ability to continue fleeing. Officers approached the suspect’s vehicle after it crashed and located a man driving the vehicle, and only occupant, suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. There is no evidence at this time to suggest that any police officers fired their weapons. The suspect was transported to the hospital in critical condition where he remains with life-threatening injuries. His name will not be released at this time. In total, seven vehicles were involved in the crash and six people transported to the hospital. Of those six, two were Denver Police Officers.

The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) for the 17th Judicial District responded and will be investigating this incident. The CIRT Team conducts independent, multi-agency investigations into incidents that occur in Adams and Broomfield Counties. The Aurora Police Department joined the CIRT Teams for both the 17th and 18th Judicial Districts in April of this last year.

The Denver Police Department will continue their investigation into the shooting earlier in the day on Northfield Boulevard.


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 13, 2022 at 10:10 PM
  
 
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