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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, Instagram, YouTube 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.
UPDATE: Today the Aurora Police Department and Denver Police Department held a joint press conference to update the media on this ongoing investigation. You can view an unedited version of the conference here.
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
Information previously released on November 9th, 2016
On Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at approximately 11:21 a.m. Aurora Police were dispatched to a report of a party shot at 142 Del Mar Circle. Upon officers arrival they located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers on scene rendered aid to the victim and rescue personnel were summoned to the scene. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Officers received information that the suspect involved in the shooting was possibly at a residence in Denver at 14572 East 46th Avenue. When the officers arrived, shots were exchange between the suspect and the officers. An Aurora Police Officer was shot and transported to the hospital where he remains in stable condition.
Detectives from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit are handling the investigation into the Del Mar Circle Homicide. Since the officer involved shooting occurred in the city limits of Denver, the Denver Police Department is taking lead on this investigation. Major Crimes Detectives will be assisting.
Anyone with information about the Del Mar Circle homicide is asked to call Major Crimes/Homicide Unit Detective Matt Ingui at (303)739-6067.
All media inquiries in reference to the officer involved shooting investigation should be directed to the Denver Police Department Media Relations Unit.
Yesterday at approximately 1:30p.m. Officers from the Aurora Police Department arrested Ricardo Corral-Venegas, a 25 year old man who attempted to force his way into an apartment in the 1300 Block of South Geneva Way. Fortunately the woman was able to fight the man off, preventing him from gaining entry into her apartment.
Investigators believe that on October 4th Corral-Venegas forced his way into another apartment at the same location and sexually assaulted another woman.
Corral-Venegas was arrested for Sexual Assault, First Degree Kidnapping, First Degree Burglary and Criminal Attempt First Degree Burglary. He is currently being held at the Arapahoe County Jail.
Investigators believe their could be the possibility of other victims who were assaulted by Corral-Venegas. They are encouraged to contact Sex Crimes Detectives, Agent Jennifer Spanos at 303-739-6153 or Agent Del Matticks at 303-739-6367.
Since this case is in the hands of the District Attorney's Office (18th Judicial District) we will not be releasing any additional information about the case. A copy of the arrest affidavit can be obtained from the Colorado Judicial Department.
Ricardo Corral-Venegas
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
On Saturday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Aurora Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 12th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to one of three collection sites in Aurora. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 11 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds—about 3,200 tons—of pills.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 22 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website.
Aurora collection locations:
The Medical Center of Aurora, South Campus
1501 South Potomac Street (North parking lot)
Pickens Technical College
500 Airport Blvd
The Medical Center of Aurora, Saddle Rock Emergency Room
22500 E. Dry Creek Road
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720-432-5095
Aurora, Colorado- September 28th, 2016, 8:57 am- E. Mississippi Ave (westbound) @ S. Uvalda St. – Aurora police responded to location on a report of an auto versus pedestrian crash involving two children. Upon arrival our investigation revealed two 11yo juvenile males were crossing E. Mississippi Ave, northbound, in the east crosswalk, heading to Aurora Hills Middle School. Half way across the street the signal began to change. Both boys began running to try and make it across. The vehicles in the #1 and #2 lanes westbound remained stopped until the boys passed by. A brown in color Buick sedan, driven by Sandra P. Martinez, 21yo., of Denver, was westbound on E. Mississippi Ave in the #3 lane, didn’t see the boys crossing, had a green signal light, and struck one of the boys. The 11yo victim was transported to a local hospital with serious life threatening injuries, currently listed in critical condition.
The Aurora Police Traffic Investigations Unit is investigating this crash under case # 2016-38876. Any related charges are pending the outcome of our investigation.
Lieutenant Michael A. McClelland
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6326.
Marcus Dudley Appointed to Rank of Commander
Chief of Police Nicholas Metz is pleased to announce the appointment of Marcus Dudley to the rank of Commander. He is the second African-American in the department’s history to attain a senior executive position on the department’s command staff. He will oversee the operations of District 2 and command 126 personnel. District 2 provides law enforcement services to Northeast Aurora and is approximately 101 square miles in size with a population of about 95,000 residents.
Commander Dudley joined the Aurora Police Department in 1996. During his tenure as a Police Officer he was assigned to Patrol, the School Resource Officer Unit, and the Training Section where he served as a Police Training Instructor. He was later assigned to the Media Relations Unit where he served as one of the department’s public information officers. In 2007 he was promoted to Agent (detective) and was assigned to the Media Relations Unit and the Crimes Against Children Unit.
In 2009 Commander Dudley was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. During his tenure as a Sergeant he supervised a patrol team and the Intelligence Unit. In 2013 He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to District 3 as a Watch Commander. In April of 2015 he was selected to serve as the Executive Officer to Chief of Police Metz where he oversaw the operations of the Media Relations and Recruiting Units and the department’s community outreach efforts.
Commander Dudley earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Economics from Bethany College. He is a graduate of Leadership Aurora and recently completed the Senior Management Institute In Policing which was sponsored by the Police Executive Research Forum.
Lieutenant Darin Parker, New Executive Officer to the Chief of Police
Chief Metz has selected Lieutenant Darin Parker to serve as his Executive Officer. He will oversee the department’s community outreach efforts and command the Media Relations and Recruiting Units. He most recently served as the Deputy Commander of the Internal Affairs Bureau where he played an instrumental role in reforming the bureaus policies, procedures and investigative methods.
Lieutenant Parker started his law enforcement career as a Police Officer with the Albuquerque, New Mexico Police Department in 1989. In 1995 he moved north to Colorado and joined the Aurora Police Department. He later promoted to Agent (detective) and was assigned to the Crimes Against Person’s Unit and Crimes Against Children Unit where he investigated serious felony crimes.
In 2002 Lieutenant Parker was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He supervised a patrol team, the Pattern Crimes Unit and was an Investigator with the Internal Affairs Section. In 2009 he was promoted to Lieutenant and served as a Watch Commander at District 1, the Sector Lieutenant for District 2. He also commanded the Narcotics Section and the Operations Support Section (SWAT and K-9 Units).
This summer Lieutenant Parker completed the Senior Management Institute In Policing which was sponsored by the Police Executive Research Forum. He has also completed the IACP Leadership in Police Organization Course and the University of Denver Executive Leadership Program. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University.
Other Executive Leadership Team Changes
Chief Metz also announcing the following changes to his Executive Leadership Team:
Commander Mike Dailey, the Commander for District 2 will now serve as the Commander for District 1. District 1 provides law enforcement serves to West Aurora. It 19 square miles in size and has about 122,000 residents. He will command 172 personnel.
Commander Ernie Ortiz, the Commander for District 1 will now oversee the operations of the Investigations Bureau which includes the Major Crimes Investigations Section, Community Resources Section, Traffic Section, Crime Lab Section and the Electronic Support Section. He will command 121 personnel.
Chief Metz said “There is little doubt that our nation is experiencing the most difficult and complex time as it pertains to police-community relations. Commander Dailey and newly promoted Commander Dudley get it. I look forward to working with them as they take their respective districts to new heights. I am exited for Commander Ortiz's new role in overseeing complex and important investigations. I know he will ensure high quality and professional investigations and will protect the rights of victims, families of victims and those accused of committing crimes. I also look forward to working closely with Lieutenant Parker as my new Executive Officer.”
All of these changes will take place on September 24th.
Commander Marcus Dudley
Lieutenant Darin Parker
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
On Tuesday September 6, 2016 officers were looking for Michael Smith DOB: 06/09/85 who was wanted for a parole violation in connection with convictions of kidnapping and motor vehicle theft. Members of the Strategic Response Team were able to locate Smith at approximately 1:00 p.m. at Montview Bar and Grill located at 11680 East Montview Boulevard.
When Smith exited the establishment the officers gave him verbal orders in an attempt to take him into custody without incident. Smith did not comply with the orders given to him by officers and less lethal was used but was ineffective. Smith instead fled from the officers while brandishing a handgun. At that point, one officer discharged his service weapon which did not strike Smith.
Smith continued to run from our officers but was eventually taken into custody after being tased. As a precaution, Smith was transported to a local hospital where he was later released. Smith is currently in custody on the parole violation. New charges are pending.
Detectives and investigators from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Investigations Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation into this case. This is an active investigation, and the scene has not been released. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Agent Tom Welton at 303-739-6107.
Officer Diana Cooley
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
Guest
On September 4, 2016, at approximately 10:45 pm, Aurora Police and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to E. Montview Blvd and N. Dayton St. on the report of an auto/pedestrian crash. Arriving units found an adult female laying in the intersection suffering from severe injuries. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later. The pedestrian was crossing E. Montview Blvd. when she was struck in the eastbound lanes by a Ford F-150. The F-150 left the scene of the crash. Aurora Police Officers located the vehicle a short time later in the 3300 Block of N. Peoria St. The adult male driver was taken into custody. He is being charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and DUI. Witnesses on-scene stated the pedestrian was crossing E. Montview Blvd. against the light. The names of the involved parties are not being released at this time.
Sgt. Baumfalk
Aurora Police Department
Traffic Section
Guest
On Friday, September 2, 2016 at 11:23 p.m. officers responded to 1009 S. Newark Street on a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim with injuries. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The preliminary investigation revealed that there was an altercation between the victim and a male known to him. The suspect was identified as Ruben Martinez DOB 03/17/95. Martinez has since been arrested by the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit for Second Degree Murder.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once a positive identification has been made, and next of kin has been notified.
The Majors Crime/Homicide unit is not looking for any additional suspects involved at this time. Aurora Police is asking anyone with information about this case to contact Agent Todd Fredericksen with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303-739-6106. Tipsters can also use Metro Denver Crime Stoppers by calling 720-913-7867. By using Crime Stoppers tipster can remain anonymous and be eligible for a $2,000 reward.
Officer Diana Cooley
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
Guest
On September 2, 2016, at 7:15 P.M., Aurora Police and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to E. Louisiana Ave. & S. Peoria St. on the report of a serious traffic accident. The on scene investigation revealed a maroon Honda Accord was traveling westbound on E. Louisiana Ave. and ran the stop sign at S. Peoria St. A gold Ford Fusion going northbound on S. Peoria St. collided with the driver's side of the Honda. The driver, and sole occupant of the Honda, had to be extricated from the car. The adult male driver was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The driver, and only occupant of the Fusion, was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Speed or alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this crash.
Guest
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