Our blog has MOVED. Please go to: https://www.auroragov.org/residents/public_safety/police/APD_news.
News releases will also be published to our social media channels:
Twitter - @AuroraPD
Facebook - AuroraCOPD
Next Door - Aurora Police Department
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.
Stay connected and informed by signing up for blog e-mail alerts and by following us on our social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Nextdoor.
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.
On September 5, 2016, at approximately 11:05 pm, Aurora Police and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to South Parker Road and East Temple Drive on the report of an auto/motorcycle crash. The on-scene investigation shows a motorcycle, with two occupants, was northbound on South Parker Road. A gold minivan was southbound on South Parker Road attempting to make a left turn onto East Temple Drive. The minivan turned left in front of the motorcycle. Both occupants were ejected from the motorcycle and sustained serious injuries. They were transported to a local hospital, but unfortunately both were pronounced dead a short time later. The driver, and one passenger, of the minivan were not injured in the crash. The driver of the minivan remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation. It is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor in the crash. The names of the parties involved are not being released at this time. The Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit handling the investigation.
Sgt. Baumfalk
Aurora Police Department
Traffic Section
Guest
On September 4, 2016, at approximately 10:45 pm, Aurora Police and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to E. Montview Blvd and N. Dayton St. on the report of an auto/pedestrian crash. Arriving units found an adult female laying in the intersection suffering from severe injuries. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later. The pedestrian was crossing E. Montview Blvd. when she was struck in the eastbound lanes by a Ford F-150. The F-150 left the scene of the crash. Aurora Police Officers located the vehicle a short time later in the 3300 Block of N. Peoria St. The adult male driver was taken into custody. He is being charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and DUI. Witnesses on-scene stated the pedestrian was crossing E. Montview Blvd. against the light. The names of the involved parties are not being released at this time.
Sgt. Baumfalk
Aurora Police Department
Traffic Section
Guest
On Friday, September 2, 2016 at 11:23 p.m. officers responded to 1009 S. Newark Street on a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male victim with injuries. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The preliminary investigation revealed that there was an altercation between the victim and a male known to him. The suspect was identified as Ruben Martinez DOB 03/17/95. Martinez has since been arrested by the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit for Second Degree Murder.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once a positive identification has been made, and next of kin has been notified.
The Majors Crime/Homicide unit is not looking for any additional suspects involved at this time. Aurora Police is asking anyone with information about this case to contact Agent Todd Fredericksen with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303-739-6106. Tipsters can also use Metro Denver Crime Stoppers by calling 720-913-7867. By using Crime Stoppers tipster can remain anonymous and be eligible for a $2,000 reward.
Officer Diana Cooley
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
(720) 432-5095
Guest
On September 2, 2016, at 7:15 P.M., Aurora Police and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to E. Louisiana Ave. & S. Peoria St. on the report of a serious traffic accident. The on scene investigation revealed a maroon Honda Accord was traveling westbound on E. Louisiana Ave. and ran the stop sign at S. Peoria St. A gold Ford Fusion going northbound on S. Peoria St. collided with the driver's side of the Honda. The driver, and sole occupant of the Honda, had to be extricated from the car. The adult male driver was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The driver, and only occupant of the Fusion, was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Speed or alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this crash.
Guest
UPDATE: The suspect taken into custody after crashing his car into the Day Care Center at 1155 S. Havana St. has been identified as Neco Benson. He was arrested on Vehicular Eluding, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs, Reckless Driving, and Reckless Endangerment. He is currently being held on a $50,000 bond.
Sgt. Craig Baumfalk
Aurora Police Department Traffic Section
Information Previously Released on August 31, 2016.
Aurora, CO. - 31 AUG, 2016- 3:03 p.m. – Aurora Police officers responded to the area of E. Yale Ave. and S. Parker Road on a report of a two vehicle hit and run crash. The run vehicle, a blue in color Dodge Dart with an adult male driver, fled northbound on S. Parker Road. A responding APD patrol spotted the vehicle going northbound on S. Havana Street from E. Idaho Place with front end damage. The officer turned on his lights and siren and attempted to stop the Dodge but the driver eluded, continuing northbound, turning into the Havana Gardens shopping center. The officer followed the Dodge, airing location, description of vehicle, and the Ohio plate numbers. The Dodge continued to drive recklessly through the parking lot, around several businesses. The Dodge accelerated directly west out of the lot, went across all lanes of S. Havana Street, and into the King Soopers parking lot area, impacting a parked vehicle. The driver of the Dodge lost control and drove straight into a day care business, the Bright Stars Child Care, 1155 S. Havana Street, Unit 25. The suspect was quickly taken into custody and is suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. Two children along with an adult female employee were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. No other injuries are reported.
The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating this incident under case# 2016-34880. We are not releasing names at this time. Charges are pending against the driver but may include Hit and Run, Vehicular Eluding, Reckless Driving, and Driving under the Influence of alcohol/drugs or both.
Lieutenant Michael A. McClelland
Aurora Police Department Traffic Section
303-739-6326
Guest
On 8-31-16, at approximately 2015, Aurora Police and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to E. Quincy Ave. and S. Genoa St. on the report of a motorcycle crash. An Aurora PD Officer was first on scene and discovered a motorcycle fully involved in fire, and an adult male unconscious in the street who was not breathing. The APD Officer performed CPR on the male until rescue arrived. The male was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The preliminary investigation shows the male was westbound on E. Quincy Ave. traveling at a high rate of speed, and from several witness statements the motorcycle did not have a front headlight on. A car pulled out from S. Genoa St. attempting to make a left turn when the car was struck by the motorcycle. The driver of the car remained on scene and was cooperative with the investigation. Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit is conducting the investigation. The names of the parties involved are not being released at this time.
Sgt. Craig Baumfalk
Aurora Police Department
Traffic Unit
Guest
Aurora, CO. - On August 28th, 2016, at about 1:20 p.m., Aurora Police responded to the intersection of E. Alameda Ave. and S. Havana Street on a report of a two vehicle crash. Upon arrival investigation revealed an Aurora Fire Department vehicle, a marked Ford F350 truck, driven by Battalion Chief Jon Hill, 49, was responding to an emergency call for service with lights and siren activated northbound on S. Havana Street approaching the intersection of E. Alameda Ave. Chief Hill slowed and proceeded left around stopped vehicles and proceeded into the intersection. A white in color Toyota Corolla, driven by Freda Adjei, 65 of Aurora, was westbound on E. Alameda Ave. on a green signal and broadsided the Ford before it could clear the intersection. Adjei was unresponsive after the impact and was extricated from the vehicle by AFD. She was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment and later determined not to have suffered any life threatening injuries. Chief Hill was also taken to a local hospital to be evaluated and was later released.
The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating this crash under report # 2016-34423. Based on our investigation we believe the proximate cause of this crash was Adjei’s failure to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle.
Lieutenant Michael A. McClelland
Aurora Police Department Traffic Section
303-739-6326
Guest
On August 25th at approximately 6:05p.m. Aurora Police were dispatched to a report of a shooting at the Bristol Village Apartments located at 17103 East Ohio Place. Upon arrival, Officers located an adult female suffering from a gunshot wound inside one of the apartments. The victim was immediately rushed to a local hospital where she later died from her injury. A 21 year old male identified as Brian Lebron-Rivera was taken into custody at the scene and later arrested for Manslaughter.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding last nights shooting so no additional details are being released by Aurora Police at this time.
The identity of the victim will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once she has been positively identified and her next of kin have been notified of her passing.
Anyone who has information about this case is asked to Agent Chuck Mehl with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303-739-6213.
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Guest
UPDATE: Our investigation of this fatal auto/pedestrian crash has revealed the following: Dalton M. McCreary, 22, and Jordan Mulumulu 18 24, both from Aurora, were walking northbound on S. Chambers Road, crossing E. Iliff Ave. in the east crosswalk. Both were crossing on a green traffic signal/walk signal when a black in color 1998 Toyota 4Runner, driven by Christopher O’Neil Tarr, 41, of Aurora, was eastbound on E. Iliff Ave. at a high rate of speed. Tarr ignored the red signal light and lost control of his vehicle. The Toyota struck Dalton in the crosswalk, flipped over onto its roof, went down a landscaped embankment on the northeast corner, and into the Walgreen’s parking lot where it rolled back upright onto its tires. Tarr attempted to flee the scene northbound through the parking lot in the Toyota and several witnesses gave chase. The Toyota was forced to stop due to its damage from the collision prior to leaving the parking lot. McCreary was transported to a local hospital and died shortly thereafter due to his injuries. Mulumulu later stated to investigators, just prior to the Toyota coming at them McCreary yelled at him to “look out” and pushed him out of the way of the oncoming vehicle, saving his life.
Tarr and the front seat passenger, Robert Taylor, 54, of Aurora, were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries. Tarr was later arrested and held on a $50,000 bond for Vehicular Homicide at the Arapahoe County Jail. Tarr has posted bond and was released pending charges on 08/24/16.
The Photo Red Light system installed at this intersection captured this horrific crash with video and photos, all of which have been turned over to the DA’s office as evidence for prosecution.
We have filed the following charges with the District Attorney’s office:
Vehicular Homicide
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Drugs, or both
Any additional media inquiries regarding this incident should be directed to the 18th Judicial District PIO.
Mugshot of Christopher Oneil Tarr, Date of Birth: 10/7/1975
Lieutenant Michael McClelland
Traffic Section Commander
303.739.6326
Information previously released on August 22, 2016:
On August 22, 2016, at about 12:10 A.M., Aurora Police Officers responded to an automobile versus pedestrian accident at East Iliff Avenue and South Chambers Road. A 1998 Toyota 4Runner was eastbound on East Iliff Avenue at a high rate of speed. The 4Runner tried to turn north onto South Chambers Road but lost control in the turn and started to slide. A group of pedestrians was walking northbound in the east cross walk. One of the pedestrians was struck as the 4Runner slid eastbound through the crosswalk. The 4Runner then went up onto the north sidewalk and rolled over and into a parking lot on the northeast corner of the intersection. The 4Runner landed on its wheels and tried to leave but the engine died before it could get out of the lot.
The pedestrian that was struck was transported to a local hospital and later succumbed to their injuries. None of the other pedestrians were hit. The driver and a passenger in the 4Runner were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.
Speed and alcohol are considered factors in this accident. None of the identities of any of the involved parties are being released at this time.
The Aurora Police Department reminds drivers not to drive if they have been drinking.
Sergeant William Revelle
Traffic Section
303.739.6374
Guest
Investigators have recently sought the services of Parabon NanoLabs (Parabon), a DNA technology company in Virginia that specializes in DNA phenotyping, the process of predicting physical appearance and ancestry from unidentified DNA evidence. Law enforcement agencies use the company’s Snapshot™ DNA Phenotyping Service (Snapshot) for narrowing suspect lists and generating leads in criminal investigations.
Using DNA evidence from the Bennett Family Homicide investigation, Snapshot produced trait predictions for the associated person of interest (POI). Individual’s predictions were made for ancestry, eye color, hair color, skin color, freckling and face shape. By combining these attributes of appearance, a Snapshot composite profile was produced that depicts what the person of interest may have looked like at 25 years old.
It is important to note that Snapshot composites are scientific approximations of appearance based on DNA, and are not likely to be exact replicas of appearance. Environmental factors such as smoking, drinking, diet, and other non-environmental factors, such as facial hair, hairstyle, scars, etc. cannot be predicted by DNA analysis and may cause further variation between the POI’s predicted and actual appearance.
Between 9 p.m. January 15, 1984 and 10 a.m. January 16, 1984, twenty-seven year old Bruce Bennett, his twenty-six year old wife, Debra and their seven year old daughter Melissa, were brutally murdered inside their home located in the 16300 Block of East Center Drive. An autopsy found that Debra died from blunt force trauma. Additionally, autopsies determined that Bruce and Melissa died from blunt force trauma as well as sharp force injuries, consistent with a knife. Evidence at the scene indicated that Melissa had been sexually assaulted. A second child, the Bennett’s three year old daughter, was found alive inside the residence suffering from blunt force trauma.
If you or someone you know can provide information on this unresolved homicide investigation, you are encouraged to contact Agent Steve Conner with the Homicide Unit Cold Case Squad at (303) 739-6190, e-mail [email protected].
 
Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Guest
|