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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.
(December 25) A 16-year-old has died from his injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash in Aurora on Christmas Eve.
The crash occurred about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, near the intersection of East Jewell Avenue and South Abilene Street. The Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit responded, and officers learned that a Mini Cooper was traveling northbound on South Abilene Street at a high rate of speed. An Acura SUV was turning left from Jewell Avenue onto Abilene Street when the crash occurred in that intersection.
The driver of the Mini Cooper, a 16-year-old boy, was transported to the hospital where he tragically died today. An adult passenger in the Mini Cooper was also transported to the hospital with serious injuries and is expected to survive. The woman who was driving the Acura was evaluated for her injuries on scene.
The identity of the driver will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after positive identification and notification of next of kin.
The Aurora Police Department Traffic Investigation closed the intersection for several hours so they could collect evidence, photograph the scene, and take necessary measurements. The investigation is ongoing and will determine what the speeds were prior to the crash and any other contributing factors. If you have any information about this crash and you haven’t already spoken to investigators, please contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section. Tipsters can also anonymously report any information to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
This is the 48th traffic related fatality of 2022.
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 19) The Aurora Police Department is trying to locate the victim of an attempted carjacking.
The incident occurred at 7:50 p.m. Sunday when two suspects in a stolen Kia attempted to pull the driver of a light-colored SUV out of their vehicle near the intersection of South Blackhawk Street and East Wesley Avenue in the Heather Gardens neighborhood.
Officers on patrol in the area witnessed the attempted carjacking and pursued the suspects after the Kia they were driving sped from the scene. The suspects were apprehended.
The victim also left the scene. Little information is known about the victim and their vehicle, making it difficult for officers to contact them.
Investigators are interested in speaking with the victim to ensure they didn’t sustain any injuries during the incident, to connect them with community resources if needed and to hear their story.
Anyone with information 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
(December 19) A 44-year-old Aurora woman has passed away from injuries she sustained last month in a two-vehicle crash.
The woman died on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office confirmed last week the woman’s death was the result of injuries she sustained in the crash.
The crash occurred just before 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at the intersection of East Iliff Avenue and South Blackhawk Street. The investigation revealed a 2021 Subaru sedan made a lefthand turn in front of oncoming traffic and was struck broadside by a 2014 Toyota SUV.
Two occupants of the Subaru and one from the Toyota were taken to local hospitals for treatment. The woman who passed away last week is the daughter of the driver of the Subaru, 73-year-old Cynthia Brysh.
Brysh was initially cited for taking the right-of-way of a lefthand turn. The charge will be amended to include careless driving resulting in death, a misdemeanor.
This is the 46th traffic-related fatality of 2022.
Joe Moylan
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
(December 11) One man is dead following a two-car crash that closed the intersection at South Buckley Road and East Mansfield Avenue for multiple hours.
On December 10, 2022, at about 8:45 p.m. Aurora 911 began receiving calls about a two-car crash in the intersection of South Buckley Road and East Mansfield Avenue. Callers reported that one car was on fire and the driver was still inside.
When officers arrived on scene, they found a Dodge Charger that was engulfed in flames and a Honda Accord. The driver of the Charger was sadly, deceased on scene. The driver of the Accord remained on scene and was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. A female passenger in the Charger was able to escape before it caught on fire and was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. A female passenger in the Accord fled from the scene and has not yet been identified.
The initial investigation found the Honda was traveling northbound on South Buckley Road. The Dodge was making a left turn from eastbound East Mansfield Avenue onto southbound South Buckley Road. They collided in the intersection.
The identity of the deceased driver 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 intersection for several hours so they could collect evidence, photograph the scene, and take necessary measurements. 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 47th traffic related fatality of 2022.
Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Media Relations 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
(December 7) A second juvenile suspect has been arrested in connection to last week’s shootout with Aurora police officers in a shopping center parking lot in District 1.
The 15-year-old was arrested about 7:15 p.m. Tuesday near 11th Avenue and North Syracuse Street in Denver with the help of the Denver Police Department. The suspect, who’s name is not being released because he is a minor, was identified by detectives through evidence recovered at the scene.
The suspect was arrested on seven charges of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and one charge of aggravated motor vehicle theft. Formal charges will be filed by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The Aurora Police Department, through Metro Denver Crime Stoppers and the Aurora Reward Fund, offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the second suspect’s capture. We appreciate the tips we received from the public, but ultimately the suspect was identified, located and arrested thanks to the dedicated work of Aurora police officers, detectives, crime scene investigators and crime analysts.
“I know capturing the second suspect in this case was a top priority of Chief Dan Oates,” said interim Aurora police Chief Art Acevedo. “I’m proud of the diligent work of our investigators and gratified to be able to make this announcement on behalf of my good friend and colleague so early in my tenure with the Aurora Police Department.”
The investigation into the officer-involved shooting by the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team is ongoing. The six officers involved in last week’s incident remain on paid administrative leave in accordance with agency policy.
No additional suspects are being sought in connection to this investigation.
Anyone with any additional information about this case is encouraged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867) or by submitting a tip online.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information previously released.
UPDATE: Juvenile Charged with Attempted Murder of 7 Aurora Police Officers
(December 3) After several days of relentless investigation, the Aurora Police Department on Saturday made an arrest in connection to the Wednesday, Nov. 30 incident that culminated in an officer-involved shooting.
Today, a 16-year-old juvenile male was arrested on seven charges of attempted murder of a peace officer and one charge of aggravated motor vehicle theft. Evidence on scene and the hard work of officers, detectives, crime scene investigators, and crime analysts determined that the 16-year-old who was found early Thursday morning in the open field near the getaway car was involved in the incident.
The juvenile was already in custody on active failure-to-appear warrants. His name and booking photo are not being released at this time because he is a minor.
“We are relieved that we have this one suspect in custody, but there is at least one other out there,” Chief Oates said. “We need the public’s help. There is still a $10,000 reward for any information that will lead to the capture and conviction of the remaining suspect or suspects who tried to murder our officers.”
The reward of $10,000 is being offered by Metro Denver Crime Stoppers and the Aurora Reward Fund. If you have any information about this incident, you can remain anonymous by calling the tip line at 720.913.STOP (7867) or by submitting a tip online.
Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Information previously released
Aurora Police Involved in Shooting with Suspected Car Thieves
(December 1) Aurora police officers, following a stolen vehicle, were involved in a shooting Wednesday, Nov. 30 in District 1.
The incident began when officers began following a stolen white Kia sedan. About 9:45 p.m., the Kia pulled into a shopping center parking lot at East 6th Avenue and South Peoria Street, occupied by at least two suspects.
The Kia stopped in the parking lot, and one or more persons in the vehicle, unprovoked, began firing multiple rounds at two officers in an unmarked police car. These officers returned fire.
After this initial shooting, the suspects attempted to speed away from the scene, but were confronted by more officers responding to the initial shots fired call. The suspects fired multiple rounds at officers before driving out of the parking lot. A total of four police cars were struck by the suspects’ gunfire.
Shortly thereafter, officers located the suspect vehicle, crashed and unoccupied, at East 10th Avenue and South Lima Street. Officers set up a perimeter and began a search for additional suspects. A Reverse 911 was sent out to residents in the area to shelter in place.
A juvenile was found nearby in an open field and ultimately arrested on active warrants. Investigators are working to determine if this juvenile had any involvement in the shooting. The Aurora SWAT Team, K-9 and outside law enforcement agencies responded to conduct a search for more suspects. That search is ongoing and may continue into daylight.
In total, five Aurora police officers fired their weapons. Consistent with long-standing department policy, these officers have been placed on administrative leave.
No officers were struck by gunfire, but one was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of moderate injuries and was released.
The investigation is ongoing by the 18th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team. No additional details will be released tonight.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
(December 2) The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating an overnight shooting in District 1 with two victims.
At 12:35 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 10700 block of Exposition Avenue. Once on scene, officers discovered two men with apparent gunshot wounds.
Both men were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of their injuries. One of those men was later pronounced deceased. He will be identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after notifications of next of kin.
The second victim is a 35-year-old man. He was still receiving emergency medical treatment as of early Friday morning.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under investigation and detectives are actively pursuing leads. No arrests had been made as of Friday morning.
Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 and may remain anonymous.
Joe Moylan
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
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