Aurora Police Department’s K9 Factor will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Factor’s vest will be embroidered with the sentiment “Honoring those who served and sacrificed”.  Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

 Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified.  Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,247 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. 

 The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies.  K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate.  There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

 Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest.  Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty.  For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978.  Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.   



Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095

The Colorado Cyber Guardian Task Force, which consists of the Aurora Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, partnered in a two-day online operation targeting those who engage in the enticement of children for sexual purposes online.

This operation was conducted on April 8^th and 9^th, 2021, within the city of Aurora resulting in the arrest of the below suspects who were attempting to arrange sexual encounters with a minor. We have provided the suspects name, age, self-declared or otherwise known profession, and their self-declared city of residence as follows:

• Edgar R. Pando-Caprio, 23, Denver, is employed as a contracted overnight janitor working within the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD). The CCSD is aware of this arrest and will independently provide additional information to staff, parents and the public.
• Laurentino Espinoza-Pena, 56, Aurora, is a self-employed providing maintenance services
• Tommy Kilcher, 43, Aurora, self-declared employment at Cardinal Health
• Joseph M. Goetz, 59, Aurora, self-declared Business Owner of Rio Leasing LLC
• Jeremy J. Steward, 42, Aurora, historically reported as working in the restaurant/bar industry
• Brent W. Murray II, 30, Highlands Ranch, has historically self-declared employment as a drone pilot and with USA Security.
• Joshua J. Wagner, 46, Denver, did not declare employment at time of arrest
• Dylan J. Cornhoff, 27, Aurora, did not declare employment at time of arrest 
• Peter D. Rodriguez, 50, Denver, declared employment with a company only identified as Performance and worked as a loader
• Joshua D. Garcia, 37, Westminster, declared employment with Hertz as a car attendant

The above suspects, also shown in the attached image, were individually charged with at least the following Colorado Revised Statutes, and prosecution will be handled by the 18^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office:

• 18-7-402 Soliciting for Child Prostitution, a Class 3 Felony
• 18-2-101 Criminal Attempt, a Class 4 Felony
• 18-7-40 Patronizing of a Prostituted Child, a Class 4 Felony

Our ongoing partnerships with HSI and CBI are invaluable to the Aurora Police Department and the communities we all serve. This collaboration contributed greatly to the overall success of the operation, and our commitment to safety for our community members both online and offline.

According to HSI, “We are proud to work closely with our partners including Aurora PD and Colorado Bureau of Investigations to protect children and arrest individuals who prey on children,” said Steven Cagen, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Denver. “Child sex abuse is one of the most serious crimes HSI investigates due to the lasting psychological and physical damage it can inflict on victims.”

The Aurora Police ICAC Unit, HSI, and CBI would like to remind parents to be aware of and have an active role in your child’s online presence.  Have discussions with the children in your life about the dangers of online chats or conversations, especially with strangers. We strongly encourage parents to routinely monitor your child’s online activity to prevent them from becoming a victim of a child sex predator or worse.

To learn more about online safety and the Aurora Police Department ICAC Unit please click HERE or copy and paste this URL into your browser:

https://www.auroragov.org/residents/public_safety/police/aurora_for_youth/online_safety_for_kids

Any additional media inquiries related to this operation and associated arrests are respectfully requested to be directed to the 18^th Judicial District Attorney's Office during the prosecution phase.

ChildEnticementOperationArrest.PNG

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095

(March 12) On Friday, March 12, 2021, at about 10:12 a.m., Aurora police officers responded to a traffic crash on southbound Interstate 225 just north of East Colfax Avenue.

The initial traffic investigation suggested a 44-year-old woman traveling southbound on Interstate 225 in a maroon Cadillac SUV experienced a medical episode and crashed.  Newly developed information has revealed a steel projectile, from an unknown origin, entered the Cadillac through the driver side window striking the driver, who was the sole occupant of the SUV. This caused the Cadillac to collide with another vehicle causing minor damage to that vehicle. The Cadillac continued on and collided with a concrete divider barrier.

The woman was transported to an area hospital where tragically she succumbed to her injuries. It is not yet clear if the woman died as a result of the crash into the concrete divider barrier, the injury sustained from the steel projectile or a combination of the two.  Alcohol, drugs nor speed were contributing factors of the crash.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the Adams County Coroner's Office after a positive identification has been made, and his next-of-kin has been notified.

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dash cam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095