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
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(December 2) The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating an overnight shooting in District 1 with two victims.

At 12:35 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 10700 block of Exposition Avenue. Once on scene, officers discovered two men with apparent gunshot wounds.

Both men were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of their injuries. One of those men was later pronounced deceased. He will be identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after notifications of next of kin.

The second victim is a 35-year-old man. He was still receiving emergency medical treatment as of early Friday morning.

The circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation and detectives are actively pursuing leads. No arrests had been made as of Friday morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 and may remain anonymous.

Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Dec 02, 2022 at 9:06 AM
  
UPDATE, ARREST MADE

(November 12) The person of interest detained after the homicide of a 12-year-old boy and shooting of a 14-year-old boy has been arrested.  

Last night at about 10:30 p.m. Rolando Felipe, 18-years-old, was arrested by Aurora Police Officers and charged with one count of 1st Degree Murder and one count of Attempted 1st Degree Murder.  The charges will be filed with the Arapahoe County 18th Judicial District.  

The investigation is ongoing and Detectives ask anyone who has information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 and still may remain anonymous.

R. Felipe

Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095


Information previously released

(November 11) A 12-year-old boy has died and a 14-year-old remains in serious condition after a shooting on Zion Street. One person of interest has been detained.

On November 11, 2022, about 2:58 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to a shooting in the 900 block of North Zion Street. Officers found two young boys, a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old, both of whom are related to each other, suffering from gunshot wounds. They were both immediately transported to the hospital. The 12-year-old was tragically pronounced deceased a short time later and the 14-year-old remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

Investigators from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit (MCHU) responded to the scene and worked with officers to locate evidence and interview witnesses. Initial details obtained by responding officers indicated that shots were fired from the inside of an Acura sedan at the two boys walking up the street. That vehicle then immediately left the scene but has since been located. Using this information, as well as gathering other details by responding officers, Aurora Police Officers were able to quickly identify and detain a person of interest, who is known to the victims. This person, a young adult, will not be identified unless they are officially charged.

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.

If you have any information about this shooting, and did not speak to detectives on scene, you are asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 and still may remain anonymous.


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Nov 12, 2022 at 8:40 AM
  
(Nov. 7) A 40-year-old Aurora man died over the weekend from injuries he suffered in a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Halloween.

The crash occurred at 6:35 p.m. last Monday, Oct. 31 near the intersection of East Colfax Avenue and North Dallas Street in District 1. The Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit responded, and officers learned the man was standing in the righthand lane of westbound Colfax Avenue talking to someone on the sidewalk when he was struck by a sedan. The driver didn’t stop after the crash.

The man was taken to a nearby hospital with apparent life-threatening injuries. He passed away from those injuries Saturday.

Several hours after the incident, a Denver man called 911 to report he was the driver involved in the crash. Traffic officers responded to the man’s home and found a grey Subaru sedan with damage consistent with being involved in a pedestrian crash.

The identity of the driver isn't being released at this time due to an ongoing investigation. The identity of the victim will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office.

If you have any information about this crash and you haven’t already spoken to investigators, please contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section. Tipsters can anonymously report any information to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers and could be eligible for up to $2,000 reward.

This is the 41st traffic-related fatality for 2022.

Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Nov 08, 2022 at 7:24 AM
  
(October 23) One woman was arrested Saturday evening after leaving the scene of a crash involving a motorcycle near South Peoria Street and East Warren Place.

Valerie Zamora, 50, of Aurora was arrested on suspicion of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

On October 22, 2022 at about 4:45 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to South Peoria Street near the intersection of East Warren Place on reports of a serious motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. Officers discovered two people, a man and a woman, lying in the roadway, both suffering from life-threatening injuries. They were transported to the hospital but sadly the woman did not survive. The man remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Investigators learned that the man and woman were both on a Honda Motorcycle going southbound on South Peoria Street. A Subaru Outback was exiting the parking lot of a gas station at the intersection, going westbound across all lanes of traffic on South Peoria Street, when the Honda Motorcycle struck the rear of the Subaru. The motorcycle then struck a stationary Toyota SUV. Immediately following the crash, the Subaru left the scene without stopping or providing aid.

Officers obtained information about that Subaru and were able to locate the vehicle unoccupied a short distance away. Through their investigation, they then located the driver of the Subaru, Valerie Zamora, and placed her into custody.

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

The intersection was closed for a few hours so Traffic Investigators could collect evidence, photographs, and measurements. This investigation is ongoing, but alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor.

Please contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section if you witnessed this crash or have dash-camera footage of the crash and have not yet spoken to investigators, by reaching out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.

This is the 37th traffic related fatality for 2022.


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095

Valerie
Posted by [email protected]  On Oct 23, 2022 at 10:08 AM
  
(October 2) On October 2, 2022 around 6:00 p.m., an Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Deputy was called to a group home in the area of Moline Street and East Colfax Avenue regarding someone causing a disturbance and committing rule violations. This man was part of a work-release program. Pursuant to ACSO policy, the deputy intended to take the man into custody.

The deputy located this man at a nearby bus stop where he had threatened several people nearby. The suspect, a 35-year-old, was reported to be armed with a large knife. The suspect then traveled to a corner store located in the 11000-block of Colfax. It was here that the Aurora Police Department began to receive 911 calls that a robbery had occurred at that location. Aurora Police Officers arrived to find that the suspect had left the store and had just boarded an RTD bus. Officers then boarded that bus and encountered the suspect. It was on this bus that a confrontation occurred. An Aurora Police Officer deployed their Taser and another their K-9, both of which were ineffective. Subsequently, two additional officers discharged their handguns, striking the subject who was inside the bus. Although medical aid was immediately rendered, the suspect was pronounced deceased after being transported to University Hospital. No one else was injured as a result of this incident.

The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) for the 17th Judicial District responded and will be conducting this investigation. We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this, and have not yet spoken to police, to please reach out to the 17th Judicial District CIRT by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).

The Aurora Police Officers involved with this incident were equipped with department-issued body cameras, which will be used in this ongoing investigation. The two officers that fired their weapons have been placed on paid administrative leave per departmental policy.

The Adams County Coroner’s Office will release the name of the 35-year-old man after positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Here is the LINK to this evening’s press conference with Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates and Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown.

Any additional information about this incident will be released by the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Critical Incident Response Team. 


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Oct 02, 2022 at 11:43 PM
  
(September 27) On September 17, 2022 at about 12:43 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to the 900blk of South Ironton Street on reports of a shooting. The 39-year-old victim tragically died and Detectives from the Aurora Police Department's Major Crimes and Homicide Unit began investigating this incident.

Detectives have been working to develop leads on the ones responsible by interviewing witnesses and analyzing evidence, and today, are announcing the arrest of two individuals in relation to this homicide.

Aram Cooper (06/05/1997) and Crystal Purcell (04/07/1980) have both been arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of First Degree Murder. Their booking photos are provided below.

This case will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office and any further information will come from them.


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095

Cooper

Crystal


Information previously released

(September 17) On September 17th, 2022 at about 12:43 pm Aurora Police Officers responded to South Ironton Street between East Tennessee Avenue and East Kentucky Avenue. Witnesses called Aurora 911 to report a shooting. When officers arrived, they found an adult male, seated in a vehicle suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital and received care but sadly, he did not survive.

Investigators from the Major Crimes Homicide Unit (MCHU) responded to the scene and worked with officers to locate evidence and interview witnesses. This is an open investigation and no arrests have been made. Investigators are working to determine the facts and circumstances leading up to the shooting.

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.

If you have any information about this shooting, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7807. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 and may remain anonymous.

Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit | Office of the Chief of Police
720.432.5095


Posted by [email protected]  On Sep 27, 2022 at 9:02 AM
  
(September 25) The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating a fatal auto-pedestrian crash that occurred overnight on East Colfax Avenue near Peoria Street.

On September 25, 2022 at about 2:25 am, officers responded to East Colfax Avenue near the intersection of Peoria Street for reports of a man struck by a vehicle. Officers discovered a man lying in the roadway suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was transported to the hospital but sadly he did not survive.

Investigators learned the man was walking across East Colfax Avenue, just west of Peoria Street, when a 2009 Honda Pilot, traveling eastbound on East Colfax Avenue, hit the pedestrian. The driver of the Pilot did not immediately stop, nor render aid, and left the scene. The Honda Pilot was located by officers a short time later after they observed it driving nearby. The driver of that Honda Pilot, Geyler Najera (12/18/1992) was subsequently arrested. He was booking into the Aurora Jail on suspicion of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident. His booking photo is provided below. This case will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office and any additional information will come from them.

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.

The intersection was closed for a few hours so Traffic Investigators could collect evidence, photographs, and measurements. This investigation is ongoing, but alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor.

Please contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section if you witnessed this crash or have dash-camera footage of the crash and have not yet spoken to investigators.

This is the 35th traffic related fatality for 2022.


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095

Picture of Geyler Najera
Posted by [email protected]  On Sep 25, 2022 at 11:42 AM
  
The Aurora Police Department has arrested Jonathan Edward Abraham for committing several acts of vandalism throughout the city of Aurora this past week.

From August 14 through August 22, 2022, Abraham committed 15 acts of vandalism by graffitiing several area businesses. Some of the graffiti had racially biased messaging. Through the course of their investigation Detectives from the Intelligence Unit and Gang and Robbery Investigations Team were also able to connect him to 4 aggravated robberies that occurred in Aurora during the Month of April. A tip from a community member lead detectives to Abraham.

Abraham was arrested this afternoon by the Aurora Police Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team, Narcotics Unit and SWAT Team as he was leaving his residence.

He was booked into the Aurora Detention Center and is currently being held on a $50,000 bond for the following charges:

Aggravated Robbery
Criminal Mischief
Bias-Motivated Crime-Property Damage

Mugshot
Booking Photo: Johnathan Edward Abraham

List of Damaged Businesses:

Wells Fargo-1300 South Havana Street
Target-1400 South Havana Street
Starbucks-1402 South Havana Street
Bank of the West-1389 South Havana Street
Safeway-18730 East Hampden Avenue
Taco Bell-3554 South Tower Road
Meineke-18771 East Hampton Avenue
1st Bank-18600 East Hampden Avenue
Kohls-18307 East Hampden Avenue
US Bank-18101 East Hampden Avenue
Dairy Queen-18121 East Hampden Avenue
Summer Valley Liquors-16981 East Quincy Avenue
VASA Fitness-16921 East Quincy Avenue
Lowes-4455 South Buckley Road
Canvas Credit Union-16900 East Quincy Road

List of Robbery Locations:

Subway-4343 South Buckley Road
KFC-16901 East Quincy Avenue
Taco Bell-3554 South Tower Road
Taste of Philly-18121 East Hampden Avenue

Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Sep 06, 2022 at 3:08 PM
  
(August 18) On August 14, 2022 at 1:52 am, Aurora Police Officers were dispatched to a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of Challengers Sports Bar, 12161 East Iliff Avenue.

Officers arrived on scene and learned a fight preceded the shooting and the involved people left the scene. About 10 minutes after the initial call, officers learned a man who was suffering from a gunshot wound arrived at a local hospital. The man was suffering from life threatening injuries and doctors admitted him to the hospital.

Investigators from the Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and the hospital. They worked with officers to locate evidence and interview witnesses.

The victim remains hospitalized but is not expected to survive.

After following leads and working diligently, investigators determined the suspect in this case was Henry Lee Griffin III, 26 years old. Mr. Griffin was taken into custody on August 17 at 10:45 am near East Mississippi Avenue and South Eagle Circle. He was arrested on charges of 1st Degree Murder.

This case will be prosecuted by the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office. Any further requests or release of information should be directed to their office.

Mr. Griffin’s booking photograph is not being released at this time due to ongoing investigative steps. When those are complete, it will be released.

Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit | Office of the Chief of Police
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Aug 18, 2022 at 10:17 AM
  
(August 16) The suspect in this case, a seventeen year old male, turned himself in to the Aurora Police Department yesterday evening.  He was taken into custody and will be charged with 1st Degree Murder.  Since he is a juvenile, his booking photograph and identification will not be released.  

This case will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office and any additional information will be released by their office. 

Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Affairs Unit
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information previously released


(August 8) On August 8, 2022 at about 6:50 p.m., Aurora Police Officers were notified of a shooting that occurred in the 1500 block of North Beeler Street. Officers found a 28-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital but sadly, died from his injuries a short time later.

Investigators from the Major Crimes Homicide Unit (MCHU) responded to the scene and worked with officers to locate evidence and interview witnesses. Investigators will use any information they gather from witnesses, as well as any cameras in the area, to positively identify anyone involved in this homicide. Currently, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified.

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

If you have any information about this shooting, and did not speak to detectives on scene, you are asked to 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 Aug 16, 2022 at 11:58 AM
  
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