Our blog has MOVED. Please go to: https://www.auroragov.org/residents/public_safety/police/APD_news.
News releases will also be published to our social media channels:
Twitter - @AuroraPD
Facebook - AuroraCOPD
Next Door - Aurora Police Department
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.
We wanted to let all of our subscribers know that we have discontinued the use of this blog platform.
Instead, we have moved the publication of news releases to our main webpage, aurorapolice.com. Not only will news releases be published to the homepage, but please look for the link/button that will take you to the newly created " APD News" page. Below is a link to that new page.
https://www.auroragov.org/residents/public_safety/police/APD_news
Unfortunately, there is no way to "subscribe" to receive an alert every time that a news release is published. We will, however, continue posting news releases to our social media platforms, so if you don't already, please follow us here:
Twitter - @AuroraPD
Facebook - AuroraCOPD
We appreciate everyone who has followed this page since it's inception.
Thanks,
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
(February 23, 2023) — Aurora Police Department released body worn camera footage today showing a use of force incident that occurred last year. The involved officer was reassigned on Feb. 2 and is currently working in a non-enforcement capacity, pending the outcomes of criminal and internal investigations.
On Aug. 14, 2022, the officer was escorting a suspect out of a local hospital in handcuffs. As they approached the exit, the officer forcefully took the handcuffed suspect to the ground, resulting in facial injuries.
Due to the initial classification and the Force Investigation Unit’s caseload, the August 2022 incident wasn’t reviewed until mid-January 2023. After the preliminary review, the Force Investigation Unit elevated the use of force to a Tier 2 and immediately notified the Office of the Chief of Police.
The Chief of Police authorized an internal investigation into the incident and requested the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to conduct a separate, external criminal investigation.
The criminal investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is complete and was forwarded today to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for consideration of filing formal charges. The internal investigation is ongoing.
The incident has prompted two significant operational changes at the Aurora Police Department to avoid months-long delays of use of force investigations in the future.
All use of force incidents will now be immediately investigated and reviewed by an officer’s supervisor and then evaluated at the district level by the chain of command. If the use of force is questionable or unclear, the case will be elevated to the Force Investigations Unit for immediate review.
Additionally, an internal investigation will take place at the same time as a criminal investigation.
“In the past, when an officer was accused of a crime, the practice has been to wait until the criminal investigation was completed and adjudicated before launching an internal investigation. That is not a good practice,” Aurora police Chief Art Acevedo said. “We will now conduct a parallel internal affairs investigation and take our own independent action based on our findings.”
The Aurora Police Department released footage of the 2022 incident to the media in accordance with state law. The agency is releasing the video to the public as part of our continued commitment to community transparency.
Go to the Aurora Police Department's YouTube channel to view the bodycam.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
(February 15) An Aurora man has died from injuries he sustained last week in a multi-vehicle crash near the Aurora Mall.
The crash occurred about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, when the man, 51, rear-ended three vehicles stopped at a red light at the intersection of south Abilene Street and south Abilene Court. Aurora Traffic Unit investigators suspect alcohol was a contributing factor to the crash.
The man sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The man died of his injuries Tuesday night. The man’s name and official cause and manner of death will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.
No other serious injuries were reported.
This is the 5th traffic-related fatality of 2023.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
(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
(February 7) Man dies almost a week after a hit and run crash on South Chambers Road.
On January 28, 2023, at 12:47 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to a hit and run crash near the intersection of South Chambers Road and East Tennessee Avenue.
Officers found the driver and a passenger of a Toyota Camry suffering from injuries. Both were transported to the hospital but only the passenger, a 70-year-old man, had life-threatening injuries. Sadly, on February 3, the man died from the injuries he sustained in the crash.
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigation responded to the scene and closed South Chambers Road for several hours so they could collect evidence, photograph the scene, and take necessary measurements. The initial investigation revealed the Toyota Camry was traveling southbound on South Chambers Road. A silver Toyota Corolla was leaving a private driveway, just south of East Tennessee Avenue, trying to turn left to go northbound on South Chambers Road. This vehicle did not yield to oncoming traffic, causing a collision. The driver of the Corolla did not stop after the crash, drove away from the scene and has not yet been identified.
Investigators need your help identifying the vehicle and driver of this hit and run. The vehicle is believed to be a 2014-2016 silver Toyota Corolla which should have significant damage to the driver's side of the car and airbags deployed. The license plate is unknown. We have included a picture of the vehicle below. If you witnessed the crash or have any information, and you have not already spoken to investigators, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
This is the 4th traffic related fatality of 2023.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
National 30x30 Pledge aims to improve public safety, community outcomes and trust in law enforcement
AURORA, Colo. - The Aurora Police Department (APD) has signed The 30x30 Pledge, a commitment to reach 30 percent of women in police recruit classes by 2030 and to ensure policing agencies are truly representative of the jurisdiction the agency serves. While 30x30 is focused on advancing women in policing, these principles are applicable to all demographic diversity, not just gender.
"This pledge means that the Aurora Police Department is actively working toward improving the representation and experiences of women officers in our agency,” APD Police Chief Art Acevedo said. “Currently, about 11 percent of our sworn officers are female, which is right around the national average. We are proud to be among the many agencies in the nation to make this critical commitment to growing that number over the next seven years, which will greatly benefit our department and the community we serve."
Nationwide, women make up only 12 percent of sworn officers and 3 percent of police leadership in the U.S. This underrepresentation of women in policing has significant public safety implications. Research suggests that women officers:
• Use less force and less excessive force.
• Are named in fewer complaints and lawsuits.
• Are perceived by communities as being more honest and compassionate.
• See better outcomes for crime victims, especially in sexual assault cases.
The Aurora Police Department is taking several steps to reach its goal through informational academies for women to encourage greater recruitment, target recruitment towards organizations, activities and events that are supportive of women, create a realistic preview of the job, greater support through the recruitment and application process, providing resources and strategies for success in physical testing and academy process, increased appearances of women in internal and external marketing and recruiting campaigns so women can see themselves in the profession, highlighting achievements of women currently within APD, and promoting work/life balance.
The Pledge is the foundational effort of the 30x30 Initiative – a coalition of police leaders, researchers, and professional organizations who have joined together to advance the representation and experiences of women in all ranks of policing across the United States.
More than 250 agencies – from major metro departments including the New York City Police Department, to mid-sized, rural, university and state policing agencies – have signed the 30x30 Pledge. The Pledge is based on social science research that greater representation of women on police forces leads to better policing outcomes for communities.
The 30x30 Initiative is affiliated with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law and the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).
"We are grateful to Aurora for committing to being a part of this growing movement" said Maureen McGough, co-founder of the 30x30 Initiative, Chief of Staff of the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law, and former policing expert at the U.S. Department of Justice. "We believe strongly that advancing women in policing is critical to improving public safety outcomes. We look forward to having more agencies follow APD’s lead by signing the pledge and improving the representation and experiences of women in policing."
For more information, visit 30x30initiative.org.
Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Office
720.432.5095
(February 2) One teenage girl is dead after an automobile versus pedestrian crash on East Colfax Avenue.
On February 1, 2023, at 8:30 p.m. Aurora 911 began receiving calls about a crash at the intersection of East Colfax Avenue and Moline Street involving two teenage pedestrians.
A boy and girl, both 15-years-old, were transported to the hospital. The girl was suffering from life-threatening injuries and tragically died from her injuries last night. The boy had serious injuries and is expected to survive. The identity of the girl will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once next of kin has been notified.
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigation responded to the scene and closed East Colfax Avenue for several hours so they could collect evidence, photograph the scene, and take necessary measurements. The initial investigation revealed a Jeep Wrangler was traveling eastbound on East Colfax Avenue. The pedestrians were crossing East Colfax Avenue, walking from the north side of the street to the south. The pedestrians were in the crosswalk, crossing Colfax against traffic, while the Jeep had the right-of-way.
While neither intoxication nor speed appear to be contributing factors, the investigation is ongoing. If you witnessed the crash or have any information, and you have not already spoken to investigators, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).
This is the 3rd traffic related fatality of 2023.
Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
(January 30) An Aurora man already in jail on drug distribution allegations faces new charges after a month-long Aurora Police Department investigation connected him to the overdose death of a child.
Cesar Eduardo Mejia-Sanabria, 28, of Aurora was initially arrested on Dec. 20, 2022, on five counts of felony drug distribution charges. He was charged Wednesday by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office with additional allegations of child abuse knowingly and recklessly causing death, and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance to a minor.
The charges stem from Dec. 11, 2022, when Aurora police officers responded to a report of a fatal drug overdose. The victim was 14 years old.
The Aurora Police Department is not releasing any additional information about the victim because they are a minor.
Investigators from Aurora’s Narcotics, Crimes Against Children and Gang Intervention units launched a joint investigation, identifying Mejia-Sanabria as a local narcotics dealer and a possible source of the fatal Fentanyl. On Dec. 20, investigators conducted a controlled operation resulting in the arrest of Mejia-Sanabria, as well as the seizure of 21.6 grams of Fentanyl, or approximately 220 pills, and 5.4 grams of methamphetamine.
Investigators continued pursuing leads for the next month. Cellphone data collected from the devices of both the suspect and the victim established enough probable cause to show Mejia-Sanabria was the source of the fatal Fentanyl, leading to the filing this week of additional charges.
“The dedicated investigative teams committed themselves to bring justice to a child victim in this case,” said Lt. Chris Poppe of Aurora police’s Investigative Services Section. “The partnership between Crimes Against Children detectives and undercover investigators, using a combination of traditional investigative techniques and covert tactics, brought this investigation to a successful conclusion and prevented this criminal from further victimizing our community.”
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.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
(January 27) Aurora Police Officers arrested a man in connection with yesterday's fatal hit and run crash.
Daniel Saenz-Moreno, 27-years-old, was arrested yesterday and will face one charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving death. This case will be filed into the 17th Judicial District.
This investigation is still ongoing to determine any contributing factors to this crash and detectives are asking anyone with information, who have not yet spoken to investigators, to reach out to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
Information previously released
(January 26) One man is dead after a hit and run crash on Peoria Street.
On January 26, 2023, at 5:56 a.m. Aurora 911 began receiving calls about a crash at the intersection of Peoria Street and East 19th Avenue involving a pedestrian. Officers arrived on scene and found a man lying in the roadway suffering from life-threatening injuries. The man was transported to the hospital but sadly, he died from his injuries.
The identity of the pedestrian will be released by the Adams County Coroner's Office once next of kin have been notified.
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit responded to the scene and closed Peoria Street for several hours so they could collect evidence, photograph the scene, and take necessary measurements. The initial investigation revealed a large SUV was traveling southbound on Peoria Street. A pedestrian was crossing from at the East 19th Avenue intersection, walking west to east. The driver of the SUV struck the pedestrian at the intersection of Peoria Street and East 19th Avenue, fatally injuring him. After striking the pedestrian, the driver drove away from the scene, failing to render aid. The involved vehicle was located nearby a short time later, but the driver remains unidentified at this time.
The investigation is ongoing and will determine if any additional factors contributed to the crash. If you witnessed the crash or have any information about the identity of the driver, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).
This is the 2nd traffic related fatality of 2023.
Agent Matthew Longshore
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
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