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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].
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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.
(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 12) An off-duty Aurora police officer has been placed on immediate and indefinite suspension without pay following his arrest.
On January 11, 2023, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Aurora911 received a call about a physical fight in the 15900 block of East Briarwood Circle. Aurora police responded and learned one of the individuals involved was off-duty Aurora police officer Douglas Harroun. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office was requested to respond to conduct the investigation.
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office arrested Harroun, who was booked into the Arapahoe County Detention Center on felony charges.
The Aurora Police Department has opened an Internal Affairs investigation related to this incident. Harroun was placed on immediate and indefinite suspension without pay as outlined in city charter 3-16(8)(j).
“The alleged actions Wednesday night are inconsistent with the Aurora Police Department’s core values,” said Chief Art Acevedo. “We want to thank our partners at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office’s for responding and taking the lead on the investigation.”
Harroun was hired in 2020. Before Wednesday night’s incident, he was involved in a non-fatal officer-involved shooting on December 31, 2022. Harroun was placed on paid administration leave following that incident.
As the investigating agency, any additional information about the arrest should be obtained from the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
(January 10) One man is dead after a single vehicle crash on East Montview Boulevard.
On January 10, 2023, at 7:54 p.m. Aurora 911 began receiving calls about a crash at the intersection of East Montview Boulevard and Fitzsimons Parkway involving an SUV.
Officers arrived on scene and found the driver, and only occupant, suffering from life-threatening injuries. The man was transported to the hospital but sadly, he died from his injuries.
The identity of the deceased driver will be released by the Adams County Coroner's Office once next of kin have been notified.
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigation responded to the scene and closed East Montview and Fitzsimons for several hours so they could collect evidence, photograph the scene, and take necessary measurements. The initial investigation revealed a Nissan SUV was traveling eastbound on East Montview Boulevard at a high rate of speed. The driver of the SUV proceeded straight through the Fitzsimons intersection, striking the retaining wall on the east side of the roadway. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt.
The investigation is ongoing and will determine if any additional factors contributed to the crash. 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 1st traffic related fatality of 2023.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs 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
(January 5) An Aurora Police Department Narcotics Unit investigation ended last week with the arrest of a suspected drug dealer and the seizure of more than 8 kilograms of Fentanyl.
Hernan Soria Ramirez, 24, was arrested last Thursday, Dec. 29 on charges of distribution of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, both felonies. The charges stem from a four months-long investigation into the local distribution of counterfeit Oxycodone pills laced with Fentanyl.
The investigation launched in September when narcotics investigators received information Ramirez was advertising illicit drugs for sale through various social media platforms. Investigators conducted several controlled operations to confirm Ramirez was a distributor.
The investigation culminated last Thursday with Ramirez’s arrest and the search of his home and two vehicles in the 20500 block of East Buchanan Drive. The investigation yielded the seizure of more than 80,000 pills, or 8.3 kilograms, of Fentanyl-laced counterfeit Oxycodone, another 500 grams of suspected Xanax and $1,884 in cash. The estimated street value of the seized pills is more than $200,000.
“We have documented cases throughout the state of people overdosing on just one pill of Fentanyl,” said Kevin Barnes, commander of the Aurora Police Department’s Special Operations Bureau. “By arresting Mr. Ramirez and removing this poison from our streets, our investigators have effectively saved as many as 80,000 lives.”
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.
To view a video report about this investigation, visit the Aurora Police Department's YouTube page.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
(January 1) Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit and the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) for the 18th Judicial District are investigating and officer involved shooting incident that happened overnight on North Chambers Road.
On December 31, 2022, officers responded to a home in the 1200 block of North Chambers Road. A woman called Aurora 911 to report a domestic violence situation. When officers arrived on scene they found multiple people at the home, some of whom were uncooperative with the investigation.
Officers determined there was probable cause to arrest 38-year-old Juan Ruiz-Reta for domestic violence related harassment and criminal mischief. As officers tried to place him under arrest, he was uncooperative. During that time, another male became involved and one of the officers fired their weapon, striking that man in his lower leg. Officers immediately applied a tourniquet and called for an ambulance. The man who was shot was transported to the hospital for medical care. One officer and Ruiz-Reta were also evaluated medically for minor medical complaints.
The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) for the 18th Judicial District responded and will be investigating this officer-involved shooting incident. The CIRT Team conducts independent, multi-agency investigations into officer-involved shootings that occur in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Elbert County. Consistent with long standing department policy, the officer that fired their weapon was placed on administrative leave.
The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit will investigate the circumstances of the domestic violence incident. Both investigations are ongoing and further updates regarding the officer involved shooting will come from the Critical Incident Response Team.
Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(January 1) One man is dead following a crash that closed I-225 near East 6th Avenue for several hours.
On December 31, 2022, at 9:54 p.m. Aurora 911 began receiving calls about an accident on northbound I-225 near East 6th Avenue involving one car and a pedestrian.
Officers arrived on scene and found a pedestrian lying in the center median suffering life-threatening injuries. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital but sadly, they succumbed to their injuries.
The identity of the deceased pedestrian will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office once next of kin have been notified.
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigation responded to the scene and closed the Highway for several hours so they could collect evidence, photograph the scene, and take necessary measurements. The initial investigation revealed a GMC SUV was traveling Northbound on I-225 as the pedestrian tried to cross the roadway. The driver of the SUV attempted to avoid the pedestrian but was unsuccessful. The driver remained on scene and has been cooperative with the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing and will determine what factors contributed to the crash. 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 50th traffic related fatality of 2022.
Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(December 30) A man died Friday morning following a multi-vehicle crash near Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora.
The crash occurred at 10:46 a.m. when an Acura TL sedan rear-ended a Chevy Tahoe while driving south on South Parker Road approaching East Quincy Avenue. After the initial crash, the Acura veered into northbound traffic where it crashed with a Subaru Outback and a Ford F250 before coming to rest.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the driver of the Acura unresponsive in his vehicle. Officers extricated the man and performed CPR until Aurora firefighters arrived.
The man was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. Despite the life-saving efforts of first responders, the man passed away. The cause and manner of death, in addition to the driver’s identity, will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.
There were no other occupants in the Acura. No other injuries were reported. The crash remains under investigation by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Section.
All northbound lanes of South Parker Road and all but one lane of southbound traffic were closed because of the crash. The roadways were reopened at 1:12 p.m.
This is the 49th traffic-related fatality of 2022.
Joe Moylan
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
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