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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
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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.
(December 2) The Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit is announcing the arrest of Anthony Ray Worthy (DOB: 03/25/1982). Worthy was arrested and has been charged with Colorado Revised Statute 18-3-102, 1st Degree Murder in relation to this homicide. The booking photo for Worthy has been provided at the bottom of this news release.
This homicide is being prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and any additional media inquiries should be directed there.
Officer Francisco Saucedo
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information previously on November 29, 2021
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On November 22nd, 2021 at approximately 3:30p.m Aurora Police responded to a report of a shooting in the parking lot of 10720 East Iliff Avenue. Upon arrival officers located an adult male who had been shot in the abdomen. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment. At that time it was believed that his injuries were non-life threatening; however on November 27th he succumb to his injuries and passed away. An autopsy was performed today and his death was ruled a homicide.
The Major Crimes Homicide Unit have taken over the investigation into this shooting death. They are looking into the circumstances of what lead up to this shooting. No suspect information is available at this time.
The identity of the victim will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Lieutenant Chris Amsler-PIO
Commanding Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(November 16) On Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 9:25 p.m., District 2 Patrol Officers responded to the 13000 block of East 33rd Place on reports of a shooting. The 18-year-old victim later died at a local hospital.
The Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit is announcing the arrest of Abel Vargas (DOB: 07/01/2003). Vargas was arrested and has been charged with Colorado Revised Statute 18-3-104 Manslaughter in relation to this homicide. The booking photo for Vargas has been provided at the bottom of this news release.
Information learned from this homicide is that Vargas and the victim were known to each other. Both gathered at the location on East 33rd Place when Vargas produced an AR-15 rifle to show the victim. Vargas was handling the weapon when he then pulled the trigger, shooting the victim.
This homicide is being prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and any additional media inquiries should be directed there.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
.jpg "Vargas, Abel")
Information previously released
(November 15) One dead following a shooting in the area of the 13000 block of East 33rd Place.
On November 14, 2021, at 09:25 p.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to the 13000 block of East 33rd Place on reports of a shooting.
Once officers arrived on the scene, they learned the victim’s friend had transported the 18-year-old male to a local hospital. A short time later, officers were notified about an adult male brought into the hospital and suffering from a gunshot wound. Tragically, the victim succumbed to his injuries.
The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit detectives responded and are conducting the investigation. At this early stage in the investigation, the facts and circumstances that led up to the death, to include suspect information, are still being determined.
The Adams County Coroner’s Office will release the deceased's identity after the victim has been positively identified and next-of-kin notified.
Anyone with information that has not yet spoken to police is asked to reach out to the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Francisco Saucedo
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
On November 10, 2021 at approximately 3:29p.m. Aurora Police responded to a report of a carjacking at the Florida Station Apartments located at 14082 East Iowa Drive. While officers were responding to the call they learned that someone had been shot. Upon arrival officers located an adult male in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The initial investigation reveals that the victim was in the parking lot when he was approached by a male subject. The male produced a gun and shot the victim. He stole the victim's vehicle and fled the scene. It is believed that the suspect then committed two home invasion robberies and several carjackings in Aurora and Northeast Denver. He is also suspected of causing two injury crashes one in Denver and the second on East 56th Avenue in the area of E470 in Aurora. The final crash is where the suspect was apprehended by the Denver Police Department at around 5:00p.m.
The suspect was taken into custody by Aurora Police and was transported to a local hospital where he is being treated for injuries he sustained as a result of the crashes he was involved in.
The Major Crimes Homicide Unit is handling the investigation into this case. It remains an open and active investigation with multiple crime scenes. Since this investigation is still in it's early stages no additional details or information on the suspect is expected to be released this evening. The identity of the homicide victim will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and his next of kin have been notified.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Aurora Police.
Lieutenant Chris Amsler-PIO
Commanding Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(November 5) On Monday, November 1st, 2021, at 1:32 p.m., District 1 Patrol Officers responded to 1452 North Kenton Street, on a report of a women lying on the sidewalk. The women was pronounced deceased on scene.
The Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit is announcing the arrest of Daniel Revere Matthews (DOB: 10/04/1986). Matthews was arrested last night, November 4, 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 Matthews has been provided at the bottom of this news release.
We want to thank the Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit for their continued work on this case as well as the Aurora Police SWAT and F.A.S.T Unit for assisting in the arrest.
This homicide is being prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and any additional media inquiries should be directed there.
.jpg "Suspect Photo")
Francisco Saucedo
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information Previously Released November 1, 2021
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(November 1) The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit investigating after woman killed in northwest Aurora.
On November 1, 2021, at 1:32 p.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to 1452 North Kenton Street on reports of a woman lying on the sidewalk. Officers located a 22-year-old adult woman suffering from apparent trauma, who was pronounced deceased on scene. Additional patrol resources responded to the area after witnesses advised the possible suspects were nearby. Officers quickly located three individuals matching the description given and detained them without incident. Those three people were transported to the Aurora Police Department Headquarters where they are currently being interviewed to determine their involvement. At this time, no official arrests have been made.
Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit detectives are conducting the investigation. At this early stage of the investigation, the facts and circumstances that led up to the woman’s death are still being determined.
The identity of the deceased, as well as cause of death, will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after the victim has been positively identified and next-of-kin notified.
Anyone with information, that has not yet spoken to police, is asked to reach out to the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(October 31) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating after a man was shot and killed in northwest Aurora.
On October 31, 2021, at approximately 6:15 a.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to 1592 North Boston Street on reports of a shooting. Officers located a man in his 50's suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was transported to a local hospital where he has since been pronounced deceased.
Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and will be responsible for this investigation. Initial information is that an argument between the victim and the suspect occurred prior to the suspect pulling out a firearm and shooting the victim. Detectives are actively working to positively identify the suspect, who left the scene prior to police arrival, but no arrests have been made.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office after the victim has been positively identified and his next-of-kin notified.
Detectives will continue interviewing witnesses but are asking anyone that may have observed this incident, and have not yet spoken to police, to please reach out to the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(October 22) One juvenile has died following a shooting in the area of East 12th Avenue and North Ironton Street.
On October 22, 2021, at 7:07 p.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to the area of East 12th Avenue and North Ironton Street on reports of a shooting into a vehicle. Officers arrived on the scene and located a 16-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound seating in the driver’s seat. The juvenile was transported to the hospital, where he later tragically died from his injuries.
A short time later, officers were notified that a 16-year-old, the passenger in the vehicle, showed up at the hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. He is expected to survive. The shooter left the scene before police arrival.
Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit detectives responded and are conducting the investigation. At this early stage in the investigation, the facts and circumstances that led up to the death, to include suspect information, are still being determined.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after the victim has been positively identified and next-of-kin notified.
Anyone with information that has not yet spoken to police is asked to reach out to the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Officer Francisco Saucedo
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(October 20) One man has died following a shooting in the 1700 block of North Tower Road.
On October 20, 2021, at 9:20 a.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to the area of North Tower Road and East 19th Avenue on reports of a shooting. Officers arrived on scene and located a 51-year-old adult male suffering from a gunshot wound inside a vehicle. The shooter left the scene prior to police arrival. The adult male was transported to the hospital where he tragically died from his injuries.
Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit detectives responded and are conducting the investigation. At this early stage in the investigation, the facts and circumstances that led up to the death, to include suspect information, are still being determined.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office after the victim has been positively identified and next-of-kin notified.
Anyone with information that has not yet spoken to police is asked to reach out to the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Officer Francisco Saucedo
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
At approximately 3:45p.m. Aurora Police responded to a report of a shooting in the parking lot of the Sable Cove Townhomes. Upon arrival they located a 18-year-old man in the parking lot of 14581 East Ford Place who had been shot. The man was transported to a local hospital where he succumb to his injuries.
Investigators believe that the shooting victim and another man were involved in an altercation in the parking lot when the other man produced a gun and shot him.
A person of interest called police a short time later and is speaking with investigators from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit. At this time no arrests have been made.
The identity of the deceased is not being released at this time. It will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and his next of kin have been notified.
Lieutenant Chris Amsler-PIO
Commanding Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(October 6) One man has died following a shooting in North Aurora.
On October 5, 2021, at 9:45 p.m., the Aurora Police Department was called to the 10200 block of East 22nd Avenue on reports of a shooting. Officers arrived and located a 22-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was pronounced deceased after being transported to the hospital.
Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit detectives responded and are conducting the investigation. Witnesses described the suspects as two Black males, late teens or early twenties wearing black clothing and ski masks. One male was tall, the other described as slim. Because of the proximity to the other homicide on North Del Mar Parkway from October 2, Detectives will also determine if those two incidents have any connections.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office after the victim has been positively identified and next-of-kin notified.
Anyone with information that has not yet spoken to police is asked to reach out to the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(October 5) Below are the booking photographs for both Luis Martin Estrada and Ruben Angel Mejia-Soto.
Their case is now being prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Further media inquiries can be directed to their office.
 
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information Previously Release
(October 4) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is announcing the arrests of two individuals in connection to this homicide.
Two individuals were quickly apprehended by hotel security and Aurora Police Officers on the night of October 2. These two people have been positively identified and charged with the following:
Luis Martin Estrada (7/27/2000)
18-3-102 - First Degree Murder
18-3-202 - Assault in the First Degree
Ruben Angel Mejia-Soto (4/8/2000)
18-8-105 - Accessory to Homicide
Both males were arrested and taken to the Aurora Jail. Their case is now being prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. Further media inquiries can be directed to their office.
Booking photographs are not yet releasable. Detectives are continuing their investigation, including photo line-ups. We will release those pictures as soon as possible.
Detectives are still asking anyone that may have observed this incident, and have not yet spoken to police, to please reach out to the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information Previously Released
(October 2) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation after one male is killed, three others injured, following a shooting inside of local hotel.
On October 2, 2021, at approximately 1:55 a.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to 12230 East Colfax Avenue, Hyatt House Hotel, on reports of a shooting. Officers located numerous people suffering from gunshot wounds. In total, four people had been shot. An 18-year-old male was transported to a local hospital where he has since been pronounced deceased. A 17-year-old female was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, is currently in critical condition, but expected to survive. A 22-year-old male and a 23-year-old male were also taken to the hospital, both are currently in stable condition.
Arriving officers, with the assistance of hotel security, quickly apprehended two adult males that we believe are responsible for this homicide. A handgun was also recovered.
Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and will be responsible for this investigation. Initial information obtained is there was a party in one of the hotel rooms. During the party, the male suspects arrived, and an altercation ensued. The males were kicked out of the room at which point shots were fired through the door, striking multiple people. Detectives do not believe that there are any outstanding suspects.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner after he has been positively identified and his next-of-kin notified.
Detectives will continue interviewing witnesses but are asking anyone that may have observed this incident, and have not yet spoken to police, to please reach out to the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit or the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
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