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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.
(November 25) The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating a crash after driver dies days later.
On November 10, 2021, at approximately 10:20 p.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to a report of a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of South Parker Road and East Yale Avenue. Officers found an adult male driving a Toyota Highlander with serious injuries and was transported to the hospital. This male has been hospitalized since the crash but succumbed to his injuries on November 23, 2021. The drivers of the other vehicles did sustain minor injuries, but neither were transported to the hospital.
Aurora Police Traffic Investigators determined that the Toyota Highlander was traveling northbound on South Parker Road at a high rate of speed. The driver of Highlander ran the red light at the East Yale Avenue intersection and collided with a Ford Expedition and a Toyota Corolla. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were also contributing factors.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.
Anyone who may have witnessed this crash or has dash-camera footage of the crash, and have not yet spoke to police, are asked to call the Aurora Police Traffic Investigations Unit or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information 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 6) The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating after fatal motorcycle crash on East Mississippi Avenue leaves one adult deceased.
On November 6, 2021, at approximately 7:50 p.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to a crash at the intersection of East Mississippi Avenue and South Blackhawk Street. Officers located an uninjured man driving a tow truck that had been involved with a motorcycle. The man riding the motorcycle was pronounced deceased on scene.
Aurora Police Traffic Investigators determined the motorcycle was traveling eastbound on East Mississippi Avenue just west of South Blackhawk Street. Witnesses stated that the driver of the motorcycle began driving down the center of the lanes between vehicles stopped at the red light, also known as lane splitting. Witnesses stated that the motorcycle was traveling at a high rate of speed and wasn’t slowing down for the upcoming red light. The tow truck was facing westbound on East Mississippi Avenue. The tow truck driver proceeded to turn left on a green arrow onto South Blackhawk Street when the motorcycle struck the broad side of the tow truck. Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be additional contributing factors for the tow truck driver.
The identity of the passenger will be released the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once a positive identification has been made and next-of-kin have been notified.
This remains an active investigation. We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash or has dash-camera footage of the crash, and have not yet spoke to police, to contact the Aurora Police Traffic Investigations Unit or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information 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
(November 4) The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating after a rollover crash on Interstate 225 results in a man losing his life.
On November 4, 2021, at approximately 05:30 a.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to a crash on northbound Interstate 225 near East 6th Avenue. Officers located a Subaru Outback that had been involved in this rollover crash. Officers also located the adult driver, who had been ejected from the vehicle. The driver was tragically pronounced deceased on scene.
Initial information gathered by Aurora Police Traffic Investigators is that the Subaru was traveling northbound Interstate 225 in the far-left lane. Witnesses described a dark colored SUV, traveling at a high rate of speed in the center lane, quickly changed lanes into the left lane. Witnesses believed that this dark colored SUV made physical contact with the front end of the Subaru. The Subaru driver then lost control of the vehicle, causing it to roll and eject the driver. The dark colored SUV continued northbound on Interstate 225 and did not stop.
The identity of the driver will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office once a positive identification has been made and next-of-kin have been notified.
This remains an active investigation. We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dash-camera footage, or has any information on the dark colored SUV, to call the Aurora Police Traffic Investigations Unit or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipster 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 Traffic Section is investigating a fatal crash on South Chambers Road that tragically left one teenage boy deceased.
On October 31, 2021, at approximately 6:15 p.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to a crash involving a pedestrian on South Chambers Road near East Hampden Circle. Officers located a 15-year-old boy who had been struck by a Subaru Forester. The teenage boy was transported to the hospital where he later died. The driver of the vehicle, an adult female, remained on scene.
Aurora Police Traffic Investigators determined the Subaru was traveling northbound on South Chambers Road just south of East Hampden Circle. Initial investigations indicate that the teenage boy stepped into the pathway of the vehicle and was struck. Aurora Police Traffic Investigators do not believe that the Subaru was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the crash. Drugs or alcohol also do not appear to be additional contributing factors.
The identity of the teenage boy will be released the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once a positive identification has been made and next-of-kin have been notified.
This remains an active investigation. We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash or has dash-camera footage of the incident, and have not yet spoke to police, to contact the Aurora Police Traffic Investigations Unit or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867.
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 29) The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on the 1700 block of Peoria Street, leaving one pedestrian dead.
On October 28, 2021, at approximately 07:51 p.m., the Aurora Police Department responded to a crash in the 1700 block of Peoria Street. Officer located a 38-year-old male who was struck by a vehicle. The victim was transported to a local hospital in serious condition, where he later died from his injuries.
The initial traffic investigation revealed that the male was crossing the 1700 block of Peoria Street, not in a designated crosswalk, when a vehicle struck the male. The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be contributing factors to the accident.
The Adams County Coroner's Office will release the identity of the pedestrian once a positive identification has been made and the next-of-kin has been notified.
This remains an active investigation. We ask anyone who may have witnessed this crash or has dash-camera footage of the crash and has not yet spoken to police to contact the Aurora Police Traffic Investigations Unit or Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867.
Officer Francisco Saucedo
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
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