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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].
Colorado Criminal Justice Records (CCJRA) can be obtained by completing an electronic request using our new NextRequest Portal.
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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.
UPDATE: Through diligent investigative work the Aurora Police Department Major Crimes/Homicide Unit arrested Keith Zotto, (DOB 10/24/1974) and charged him with at least Colorado Revised Stature 18-3-102(1)(a) Murder in the First Degree.
Zotto will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Further media inquiries should be directed to there.
Officer Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
Information previously release July 2, 2019
On July 2nd, 2019 at 12:06 p.m. Aurora Police officers were dispatched to the 19000 block of East Milan Circle on a missing person report.
After the responding officers initial investigation, they discovered a deceased adult female inside the residence. This active and ongoing investigation is still in the very early stages, so no further information is currently available. There is no threat to the public related to this incident.
The identity of the female will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office pending positive identification, and notification of her next-of-kin.
The Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit is investigating this suspicious death. We ask anyone who may have information to please call Aurora Police Agent Sutherland at 303-739-6406. Tipsters can also remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 by contacting Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913- STOP (7867).
Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
303-739-6022
On Sunday June 30, 2019 at 6:04 p.m. Aurora Police Officers responded to 965 South Ivory Circle on reports of a stabbing.
Upon officers arrival they located an adult male victim who was stabbed. The victim was then transported to an area hospital where he tragically succumbed to his injuries on Monday July 1, 2019 at approximately 2:50 a.m.
Positive identification of the victim, and notification of the next-of-kin will be done by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.
An adult has since been arrested. Due to the ongoing investigational efforts, the identity of the arrestee will be released at a later time. All further media inquires related to this arrest should be directed to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
This is now being investigated by the Aurora Police Major Crimes/Homicide Unit. We ask anyone who may be a witness, or has information about this homicide, to please call Aurora Police Agent Szuch at 303-739-6068. Tipsters can also remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 by contacting Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913- STOP (7867).
Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
On June 29th, 2019 at 11:44 pm, several phone calls were received by Aurora Police and Fire Dispatch giving details of a traffic collision involving pedestrians at 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard in which several people were injured. One person was declared deceased at the scene, while several others were treated at a local hospital. The vehicle fled the scene and was later found unoccupied several miles away.
A juvenile male suspected of being the driver was later taken into custody. The investigation is still ongoing and charges will be determined in conjunction with the 17th Judicial District in the coming days.
The identity of the driver and the victim are not being released at this time.
Further questions or information can be directed to the Aurora Police Traffic Section. This incident marks the 14th traffic fatality of 2019 in Aurora.
Sergeant Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293
On December 17th, 2018, Officers from the Aurora Police Department responded to 10653 East Jewell Avenue after a woman called 911 saying that there was a verbal and physical domestic fight occurring inside of the apartment.
Officers arrived on scene approximately 7 minutes later and as they approached the apartment, could hear yelling and screaming. As officers approached the door, they could see a male actively choking another male. Officers began to give verbal commands during this loud and very chaotic scene. One of the involved males then turns his attention officers and begins to advance on them. This male is later identified as Mr. David Baker.
Two different officers deployed their Tasers but neither had any effect. After the 2 unsuccessful Taser attempts, Mr. Baker pushes an officer out of the apartment and continues to fight. After some baton strikes that prove to be ineffective, the fight makes its way outside. Once outside, officers attempt to go hands on with Mr. Baker who instead throws an officer to the ground, injuring them. Mr. Baker continues to advance on the officers and ends up grabbing an officer’s baton and attempts to take it away.
At one point, an officer is in a position to apply a carotid control hold. While attempting to apply the carotid control hold, Mr. Baker is able to turn himself around and then places his hands around an officer’s neck and begins to choke him for several seconds. Other officers notice that the officer is being choked, attempt to drive-stun Mr. Baker as well as deliver baton strikes to his legs, all of which had no effect.
After finally letting go of our officers throat, Mr. Baker turns and begins to walk towards the open apartment door. Someone on the inside of the apartment notices this and quickly closes the door. Mrs. Baker is left outside pleading to her husband to please stop.
An officer attempts to de-escalate the situation by putting away his baton and going hands on instead. While trying to gain control of Mr. Bakers arm and take him to the ground, Mr. Baker is able to fight through and continues to fight officers. Officers then begin to punch, kick, and use their Taser to drive-stun Mr. Baker in an attempt to place him into custody. During all of this, Mrs. Baker, as well as a neighbor who has heard the yelling and screaming, are now both pleading to Mr. Baker to stop fighting.
Mr. Baker is finally taken to the ground but continues to kick and fight with officers as they attempt to take him into custody. Now over 6 minutes into the fight, the first backup officers arrive on scene. Mr. Baker is laying on his arms preventing officers from placing into handcuffs. An officer has to use his baton as a pry tool to get one of his arms free in order to successfully handcuff him. Once officers finally get his second arm free, it takes 4 pairs of handcuffs, linked together, to properly restrain Mr. Baker.
Feeling that Mr. Baker is still kicking, officers mention the use of hobbles. Officers prepare to apply a hobble, which consists of a separate waist chain and feet restraints. At NO time during a hobble do the hands ever get attached to the feet as they would in a hogtie. Also, while officers only mentioned applying hobbles, neither the separate waist chain nor the feet restraints were ever successfully applied.
As officers continue to effectively gain complete control of Mr. Baker, an officer recognizes that he may be unconscious. Officers request for Rescue to respond to the scene, who were already staged around the corner. Officers begin to check vital signs and it appears that Mr. Baker is not breathing although another officer can feel a pulse. Rescue was walked into scene where they took over the medical measures. Mr. Baker was transported to the hospital where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Members of the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and requested the assistance from the Denver Police Department to complete a thorough and comprehensive investigation. They were also assisted by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.
The facts of the case were then presented to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office who ultimately concluded that no member of the Aurora Police Department violated any Colorado statute with respect to the events that occurred at 10653 E. Jewell on December 17, 2018.
This incident is now being reviewed by our Force Review board to determine if there were any policy violations.
Click the YouTube link below to watch the body worn camera video release.
Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
720-432-5095
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information previously released December 18, 2018.
On December 17, 2018 officers responded to a domestic disturbance at an apartment complex in the 10600 block of East Jewell Avenue, where one man ultimately died in the presence of Aurora Police Officers.
During a press conference on December 18, 2018, Chief Metz spoke about his experience in viewing body-worn camera videos that were captured by his officers. In part, the information that Chief Metz released is as follows:
As Officers approached a chaotic family disturbance, they heard screaming and ran to the apartment where the commotion was coming from. When they arrived, a man was choking an adult male in the living room where several small children were also present.
Officers immediately drew their tasers and pointed them at the man while giving multiple commands. The man turned on the officers and there was at least one taser deployment at this time which was ineffective.
A physical struggle started inside the apartment and then moved outside with the man and the officers. The man knocked the officers to the ground and at one point the man grabbed an officer’s baton and attempted to grab a taser.
Officers ordered the man to stop fighting, stop resisting, and to get on the ground repeatedly. In several instances officers appeared to gain control of the man, but he would start to fight again. Chief Metz remarked that he could hear family members and neighbors pleading with the man to stop fighting with police.
During this violent episode, the officers initiated a city-wide ‘help call’ and it took several minutes for more officers to arrive. By the time other officers arrived to assist, the three officers had been engaged in a violent fight for at least seven long minutes.
In the press conference, Chief Metz stated that in his 35-year law enforcement career this is one of the most violent altercations he had ever seen.
The man was finally taken to the ground & after a physical struggle on the ground, he was placed into handcuffs. Officers recognized that the male became unresponsive and initiated lifesaving efforts. Aurora Fire Rescue arrived to render aid and the subject was transported to an area hospital where he was declared deceased.
Chief Metz noted that there are limitations to what can be released at this time, pending a completed investigation by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office. That investigation will shed light as to the manner and cause of death.
The three initial responding Aurora Police Officers were described as follows: One male officer employed since June, 2017; one female lateral officer employed since February, 2016; one female officer employed since June, 2017. The suspect was described as an African American male, 5’8”, weighing 237 lbs.
No immediate updates are anticipated at this time, pending the completion of the Arapahoe County Coroner’s report.
The full press conference can be viewed here:
Office Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
Information previously released on December 17, 2018
On December 17, 2018, about 6:15 PM Aurora Police Officers responded to a call of a physical family disturbance in the 10600 block of East Jewell Avenue at the Willowick Apartments.
When officers arrived they encountered a male in the apartment who was violently attacking family members. Because of the very violent actions the officers made a citywide ‘help call’ for additional assistance. Numerous officers responded from around the city to assist officers who were on-scene and involved with the violent male.
After the male was taken into custody, he became unresponsive. Officers administered life-saving efforts until medical personnel arrived. The male was transported to a local hospital where he was declared deceased. Two officers were also transported to area hospitals where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The identity of the deceased male, along with the cause and manner of death, will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office at a later time.
The involved officers have been placed on administrative reassignment with pay as per Aurora Police Department Policy.
This case is being investigated by the Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Unit in conjunction with the Denver Police Department Homicide Unit per our standard protocol.
The Aurora Police Department will provide additional details as they become available. We remind the public that this investigation is in its early stages and maintaining integrity of the investigation is a top priority.
Officer Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
This last week there has been a great deal of attention in the news about immigration. As a result questions continue to be raised about the Aurora Police Department’s policy regarding federal immigration laws. Specifically, people are asking if we intend to change them.
The simple answer continues to be: No
Aurora Police Officers DO NOT have the authority to detain a person based on their immigration status. They also DO NOT have the authority to investigate or enforce federal immigration laws. They do not and will not ask a person about their immigration status. It is not our practice to report to other agencies who we speak with or what their immigration status is for being in this country or in our city.
Regardless of a person’s immigration status, anyone who violates a city ordinance or state law will still be subject to arrest and prosecution.
We base our policy on public safety. It is our goal to ensure that all individuals within Aurora feel safe when it comes to reporting emergencies and criminal activity. Our desire has always been that our residents should not be fearful of the women and men who protect and serve our diverse community.
I have asked my Executive Leadership Team to remind our members about this policy and to reach out to our immigrant communities to answer questions regarding our policy and to address concerns.
Our responsibility is to provide services to ALL of our residents, enforce local laws and build strong community partnerships.
Nick Metz
Chief of Police
Twitter: @APDChiefMetz
UPDATE: The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes/Homicide Unit followed numerous investigative leads which concluded with an arrest being made in this case. The investigation is on going and involved parties still need to be interviewed so no information about the suspect is being released at this time.
On June 11, 2019 at 1:04 a.m. Aurora Police Officers responded to the 12500 block of East Kansas Place on reports of a shooting in the area. Upon officers arrival they learned four victims self-transported to area hospitals.
Among the victims were three adults, and one 17 year old juvenile. One adult remains in critical condition at this time, while all others are in stable condition. The relationship between the involved parties, to include the suspect, are not yet known. No further information about those victims or their injuries are currently available.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. It appears at this time this is an isolated incident. When information becomes available about a suspect, and the public’s assistance is requested, we will provide that updated information.
We ask anyone who may be a witness or has information about this shooting to please call Aurora Police Agent Ingui at 303-739-6067. Tipsters can also remain anonymous, and be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 by contacting Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913- STOP (7867).
Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit is relieved to announce the arrest of Andrew Joseph Condon DOB 3/20/1993 for the murder of LeBrea Jackson. Condon has been arrested and charged with at least Colorado Revised Statute 18-3-102(1)(a) Murder in the First Degree.
Condon will be prosecuted by the 18th Judicial District's Attorney's Office. All further media inquiries should be directed to their office.
Aurora Police Department
Public Information Officer
Crystal McCoy
[email protected]
Information previously released on January 8, 2019:
On December 17, 2018, about 6:15 PM Aurora Police Officers responded to a call of a physical family disturbance in the 10600 block of East Jewell Avenue at the Willowick Apartments.
On December 26, 2018, LeBrea Jackson (DOB: 03/06/1995), was reported missing to the Aurora Police Department by family members.
Since then, investigators have been tirelessly investigating her disappearance, and working with her family.
On January 7, 2019, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued the following Press Release:
“(January 7, 2019—CBI—Pueblo)—The Las Animas County Sheriff’s Office (LACSO), with assistance from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), is investigating human remains located near the town of Aguilar on January 6, 2019.
LACSO deputies responded to the call of remains discovered by residents walking in the area near an abandoned truck stop at exit 34 on Interstate 25 just after 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Members of the CBI Crime Scene Response team processed the area where the human remains were located. The coroner will work to identify the remains and determine the cause of death. Further details about the remains will not be released until the autopsy is completed on Tuesday afternoon.
The town of Aguilar is located approximately 20 miles north of Trinidad.”
Today, January 8, 2019, those remains sadly have been positively identified as LeBrea Jackson. The Aurora Police Department and the Custer County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) have made notifications to her next of kin.
LeBrea Jackson’s Missing Persons case is now being investigated as a homicide by the Aurora Police Department Major Crimes Homicide Unit (MCHU). This homicide investigation remains very active. Our investigation at this point indicates there is no threat to the public. We would like to especially thank the work by our law enforcement partners at CBI, LACSO and the CCSO.
We do understand the public’s concern into this investigation. However, in the interest of bringing justice, no further information will be publicly released at this time.
We are continuing to ask for the public’s assistance. Anyone who has information can call MCHU Agent Ingui at 303-739-6067. Tips can also be sent to the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). By calling Crime Stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.
Aurora Police Department
Public Information Officer
Crystal McCoy
[email protected]
________________________________________
PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING JOINT TASK FORCE R.A.V.E.N.
WHAT: Announcing Joint Task Force R.A.V.E.N
WHEN: Wednesday June 12, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Denver Police Department Crime Lab, 1371 Cherokee Street Denver, CO
WHO: Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz, Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen, US Attorney Jason Dunn, ATF SAC David Booth
CONTACT: Officer Crystal McCoy, Public Information Officer for the Aurora Police Department (303) 739-6022
Aurora, Colorado-In partnernship with the Denver Police Department, the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Colorado, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Aurora Police Department is proud to announce the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network (RAVEN), a joint task force comprised of local, state, and federal partners.
We will be holding a joint press conference to brief the media on Wednesday June 12, 2019 at the Denver Police Crime Lab located at 1371 Cherokee Street beginning promptly at 10:00 a.m. Aurora Chief of Police Nick Metz , Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen, US Attorney Jason Dunn, ATF Special Agent In Charge (SAC) David Booth will be the designated speakers.
The press conference will be held in a secure location inside of the Denver Crime lab so the media is asked to arrive prior to 10:00 a.m. and send an email to [email protected] to confirm your attendance.
Officer Crystal McCoy
Aurora Police Department
Media Relations Unit
(303) 739-6022
[email protected]
On Saturday June 8th, 2019 at 11:10 a.m., Aurora Dispatch received calls of a serious auto collision at South Chambers Road and East Smoky Hill Road. Officers arrived on scene and learned that an SUV was southbound South Chambers Road attempting a left hand turn to head eastbound on East Smoky Hill Road. At the same time a sedan was travelling northbound on South Chambers Road toward East Smoky Hill Road. The two vehicles collided in the intersection.
Each vehicle had only one occupant/driver, and were both transported to a local hospital where one driver was declared deceased. The identity of the deceased is not being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.
This is the 13th traffic related fatality in Aurora for 2019.
The details of this incident are currently under investigation by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Section. Questions or further information regarding this incident can be directed to:
Sergeant Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293
On May 8th, 2019 at approximately 6:00 pm, Aurora Officers and Rescue personnel responded to North Peoria Street and East Colfax Avenue regarding a motor vehicle collision involving three vehicles. A driver of one of the vehicles was transported to a local hospital with injuries and has been there since the collision.
On the evening of May 17th, 2019 that same driver was pronounced deceased by medical staff.
The circumstances surrounding the death will be investigated further by the Aurora Police Traffic Section.
The identity of the driver is not being released at this time.
Sergeant Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293
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