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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.
(February 14) The Aurora Police Department’s Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Monday night near the Willow Park neighborhood.
Just before 11 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, Aurora policer officers responded to a report of multiple shots fired in the 1600 block of S. Chambers Road. When officers arrived at the scene, they found two men in a vehicle with obvious gunshot wounds. One man was pronounced dead at the scene. The second was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
About 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aurora 911 received a call about an apartment in the 1600 block of S. Idalia Street with multiple bullet holes in the front door and front window. Responding officers performed a safety sweep and did not locate any victims inside the home.
Major Crimes Homicide Unit investigators also responded to the scene. Due to evidence recovered from both scenes, investigators think the Idalia Street and Chambers Road incidents are connected.
No suspect or suspect vehicle information is immediately available. The investigation is active and ongoing.
Anyone with information about this or any other crime is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
(January 19) Aurora Police Officers have arrested a man in connection to a fatal stabbing on East Mississippi Avenue.
Brandon Saguilan-Patricio, 27, was arrested Wednesday night on one count of first degree murder. Saguilan-Patricio was taken into custody without incident thanks to District 1 Patrol, the Direct Action Response Team (DART), APD’s K-9 Unit and the APD SWAT Team.
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. Any additional information about the incident would be obtained from the district attorney’s office.
If you have information about the incident, and have not yet spoken to investigators, you are asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Information Previously Released
(January 11) The Aurora Police Department is investigating a stabbing that left one man dead near Mississippi and Havana.
Just after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a report of a stabbing near 10955 East Mississippi Avenue. Once on scene, officers found a man suffering from apparent stab wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
Official cause and manner of death, along with the identity of the man, will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after an autopsy and notification of next of kin.
The circumstances leading up to the stabbing are still under investigation and detectives are actively pursuing leads. The relationship between the deceased and the suspect are not yet known. As of Wednesday morning, no arrests had been made.
Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). By submitting your tips through Crime Stoppers, 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
(January 18) After months of hard work, the Aurora Police Department is pleased to announce an arrest in this June 2022 homicide.
The Department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit (MCHU) has been working diligently since this homicide to identify anyone that was involved in this incident. Today, we are announcing the arrest of Darrion Rouse, 28, of Aurora. Darrion has been arrested on one count of first-degree murder. The charges will be filed into the 18th Judicial District. We want to thank the dedication of the detectives assigned to this case and our Fugitive and SWAT Teams for finding and apprehending Darrion.
If you have information about this incident, and have not yet spoken to investigators, you are asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Information Previously Released
(June 24) On June 20, 2022 at about 8:27 p.m. Aurora Police Department responded to reports of a shooting near E Alameda Avenue and South Jamaica Street. When officers arrived on scene, they found an adult male in a gold VW Jetta suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital by Aurora Fire Rescue.
The male remained in the hospital where he tragically succumbed to his injuries on June 23, 2022. The male has been identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office as Jeremiah Lashae Quashawn Cannady.
Detectives from the Major Crime Homicide Unit responded to the scene and are the lead investigators for this incident. The facts and circumstances leading up to the incident are still unknown but are being investigated.
If you were driving in this area around 8:27 p.m. on the night of the shooting and have a dash camera, we are requesting you review your footage. If you have video of the incident or any information about this homicide, 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.
Officer Elizabeth McGregor
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(January 7) The Aurora Police Department is investigating a shooting stemming from a domestic violence argument that left two people dead in District 3.
Just before 3 p.m. Friday, officers responded to a report of domestic violence with a possible shooting in the 3500 block of South Pitkin Circle. Once on scene, officers found a 42-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman in the driveway suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. They were later pronounced deceased at the scene.
Official cause and manner of death, along with the identities of the man and the woman, will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after an autopsy and notification of next of kin.
There were two children in the home at the time of the shooting, a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old. Both were unharmed.
Preliminary evidence suggests the incident was a likely murder-suicide. The incident remains under investigation by the Aurora Police Department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit.
Anyone with information about this or any other crime is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
(December 29) The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit investigating a homicide in the 1600 block of Alton Street.
At 2:40 p.m., officers responded to a shooting in the 1600 block of Alton Street. Officers discovered a man inside of an apartment with an apparent gunshot wound. This man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased a short time later. He will be identified by the Adams County Coroner’s Office after positive identification and notification of next of kin.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation and detectives are actively pursuing leads. No arrests had been made as of Thursday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). By submitting your tips through Crime Stoppers, 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
720.432.5095
(December 28) Aurora Police Officers arrested a man in connection with this morning's homicide.
C Vontae Smith, 22-years-old, was arrested this afternoon and will face one charge of first degree murder. The charges will be filed into the 18th Judicial District. C Vontae is an acquaintance of the victim.
This investigation is still ongoing and detectives are asking anyone with information about this incident, who have not yet spoken to investigators, to reach out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Information Previously Released
(December 28) The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating an overnight shooting in District 1 near East Alameda and South Peoria.
About 3:30 a.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 300 block of South Salem Street. Once on scene, officers discovered a man lying outside with an apparent gunshot wound. This man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries but was later pronounced deceased. He will be identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after positive identification and notification of next of kin.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation and detectives are actively pursuing leads. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday morning.
Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). By submitting your tips through Crime Stoppers, 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
(December 24) Two men died following a shooting on East Tennessee Place in District 2.
About 12:30 p.m. Saturday, officers received a call about a shooting in the 17500 block of East Tennessee Place. Once on scene, officers discovered two men outside who were suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Both victims were transported to the hospital. Sadly, both were pronounced deceased a short time later. They will both be identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after positive identification and notifications of next of kin.
Investigators from the Major Crimes Homicide Unit (MCHU) responded to the scene and worked with officers to locate evidence and interview witnesses. The circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation and detectives are actively pursuing leads. No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). By submitting your tip through Crime Stoppers, you 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
(December 24) The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating a homicide in District 1 with two victims.
At 11:00 a.m. Saturday, officers received a call from an anonymous person requesting a welfare check at a house in the 1500 block of Boston Street. Once on scene, officers discovered two adults inside of the residence with apparent gunshot wounds.
Both victims were pronounced deceased on scene. They will be identified by the Adams County Coroner’s Office after positive identification and notifications of next of kin.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation and detectives are actively pursuing leads. The relationship between the victims is not known at this time. No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). By submitting your tips through Crime Stoppers, you could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 and may still remain anonymous.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
(December 12) Joseph Castorena, the suspect in the Oct. 30 quadruple homicide in Aurora, was arrested over the weekend in Mexico.
Castorena, 21, was arrested Saturday, December 10, 2022, in Aguascalientes, a state in north-central Mexico, with the assistance of the FBI, local police officers in Mexico, the Instituto Nacional de Migracion – Mexico’s immigration enforcement agency – and the Mexican government. Castorena was flown to the U.S. Sunday and was booked into a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office detention center located in Phoenix.
Following the Oct. 30 quadruple homicide, investigators with the Aurora Police Department’s Fugitive Unit developed information Castorena fled to Zacatecas, another state in north-central Mexico. Investigators, with the help of federal and Mexican law enforcement partners, continued to monitor Castorena’s movements south through the country until his arrest Saturday.
“The arrest of Joseph Castorena should serve as an example that the dedicated men and women of the Aurora Police Department never quit on a case until those responsible are in custody,” said interim police Chief Art Acevedo. “I would like to thank our federal partners at the FBI and our law enforcement partners in Mexico for teaming up on the arrest.
“We hope this announcement helps bring family and friends of the victims a little closer to the closure they deserve.”
It’s not yet known when Castorena will be transferred to Colorado.
**Booking photo provided by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information previously released.
UPDATE: FAMILY MEMBER OF SUSPECT ARRESTED: Aurora Police Investigating Overnight Quadruple Homicide
(November 10) The Aurora Police Department continues to work with local, state and federal partners to locate 21-year-old Joseph Mario Castorena, who is wanted for killing four people on October 30, 2022.
Today, Carlos Casillas-Flores, 22-years-old, was arrested in Denver by Aurora Police Fugitive Officers. Carlos Casillas-Flores is the cousin of Joseph Castorena.
Carlos was transported and booked into the Aurora Jail and is facing the charge of accessory after the fact, 1st degree murder. Detectives do not have evidence at this time indicating Carlos was directly involved in the shooting on Geneva Street on October 30, 2022, but investigators determined that Carlos assisted Joseph in avoiding apprehension.
We continue our search efforts for Joseph Castorena. We urge anyone with knowledge about his whereabouts to call 911 or submit a tip to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
To be eligible for the award and to remain anonymous, tipsters must call the tip line at 720.913.STOP (7867) or submit a tip online. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 in this case. The tip line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, the Aurora Reward Fund is offering a $5,000 reward. There is now a combined reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest of Joseph Castorena.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Information previously released
(November 4) The Aurora Police Department has been working tirelessly to locate 21-year-old Joseph Mario Castorena, who killed four people on October 30, 2022.
Today, Juan Angel Castorena, 18-years-old, was arrested near West Belleview Avenue and South Federal Boulevard in Denver by Aurora Police Officers. Juan Castorena is the brother of Joseph Castorena.
Juan was transported to Aurora and booked into the jail facing the charge of accessory after the fact, 1st degree murder. At this time, there is no evidence indicating Juan was involved in the shootings on Geneva Street on October 30, 2022.
This arrest is the result of the hard work of many different Aurora Police Department Units and their collaboration with other State and Federal Agencies. We will continue our search for Joseph Castorena. We urge anyone with knowledge about his whereabouts to call 911 or submit a tip to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
To be eligible for the award and to remain anonymous, tipsters must call the tip line at 720.913.STOP (7867) or submit a tip online. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 in this case. The tip line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, the Aurora Reward Fund is offering a $5,000 reward. There is now a combined reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest of Joseph Castorena.
Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information previously released
(November 1) The Aurora Police Department responded to a shooting in the 900 block of Geneva Street in the early morning hours of October 30, 2022. Four people were killed by 21-year-old Joseph Mario Castorena who has been on the run since this incident and has not been located.
Today, Metro Denver Crime Stoppers has increased their reward for information regarding the whereabouts of Joseph Castorena. To be eligible for the award and to remain anonymous, tipsters must call the tip line at 720.913.STOP (7867) or submit a tip online. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 in this case. The tip line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Additionally, the Aurora Reward Fund is offering a $5,000 reward. There is now a combined reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest of Joseph Castorena.
We are urging anyone with knowledge about his location to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. If you see Joseph Castorena, you are urged to call 911 immediately.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Information previously released
(October 30) The Aurora Police Department is investigating a quadruple homicide that occurred overnight near Delmar Parkway.
At 2:06 a.m., Aurora 911 received a call about suspicious activity in the 900 block of Geneva Street. Three minutes later, the dispatcher heard gunshots and upgraded the call.
Officers arrived at 2:15 a.m. to find four adults dead at a home near the intersection of East 10th Avenue and Geneva Street. Officers rescued two young children and a woman from the scene. The woman and the children were unharmed.
The children are not related to the woman or the suspect.
The ongoing investigation revealed the incident stemmed from an ongoing domestic situation between the surviving woman and the suspect, 21-year-old Joseph Mario Castorena. Castorena has a distinctive lion tattoo on the left side of his neck.
Castorena is on the run and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with any information about Castorena or his whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.
The victims’ identities will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office following positive identification and notification of next of kin.
If you have any information about this case, and did not speak to detectives on scene, you may also contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 and may remain anonymous.
Here’s a link to the news conference Aurora police Chief Dan Oates delivered Sunday morning from the scene.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
UPDATE: One In Custody Following Triple Homicide
(December 11) Aurora Police Officers arrested one adult male for the triple homicide that occurred overnight.
Christopher Martinez, 21 years-old, was arrested this morning at about 5:30 a.m. and will face three charges of first degree murder. The charges will be filed into the Arapahoe County 18th Judicial District. Martinez was initially contacted on the scene last night and is known to the victims.
Chief Acevedo said, "this senseless violence is inexplicable. Thanks to the efforts of our dedicated personnel, the suspect has been taken into custody and our community can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Our hearts go out to the family of the victims."
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.
Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Information Previously Released
(December 10) The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating a homicide in the Willow Park Neighborhood where three adults were found deceased.
At 5:15 p.m., officers responded to the 1500 block of South Evanston Street on a request for a welfare check. Officers arrived and did not locate anything suspicious and there was no exigency to force entry into the residence. Officers left the residence and notified family about their inability to force entry into the house.
Shortly before 7:00 p.m., family members arrived at that residence, went inside of the home, and discovered three unresponsive adults, two women and one man, inside of the house. They were found with possible gunshot wounds and other injuries and were pronounced deceased a short time later.
All three will be identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after they are positively identified and their next of kin notified.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation and detectives are actively pursuing leads. No arrests had been made as of Saturday night.
Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (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
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