Aurora Police News
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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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Stay connected and informed by signing up for blog e-mail alerts and by following us on our social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, InstagramYouTube 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. 


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(October 7) The Aurora Police Department's Traffic Section is investigating a fatal crash between a city of Aurora vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred at East 6th Avenue and Helena Street.

On October 7, 2022 at about 9:00 a.m., Aurora Police Officers and medical personnel were dispatched to the intersection of East 6th Avenue and North Helena Street on reports of a crash involving a pedestrian. A 66-year-old woman was found to have been struck by a 2015 Ford F-350 belonging to the city of Aurora’s water department. The woman was suffering from life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. She was pronounced deceased a short time later.

The initial investigation has revealed that the woman was crossing East 6th Avenue, going from the north side of the roadway to the south, using the west crosswalk at the Helena Street intersection. The Ford F-350 was traveling northbound on Helena Street and was making a left turn onto East 6th Avenue and struck the woman. The driver of the F-350 remained on scene and showed no signs of impairment. Traffic Investigators were called to the scene to collect evidence, photographs and take measurements. At this time, the driver of the city of Aurora vehicle, a 28-year-old man, has not been cited for this crash. This investigation is ongoing, and while it does not appear that speed or alcohol were contributing factors, the employee voluntarily submitted to a blood draw analysis. Per standard city policy and federal requirements involving tragic accidents like these, city employees are immediately tested for drugs and alcohol at the city’s provider. The testing meets requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The results are pending.

The identification of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office once they have been positively identified and their next-of-kin have been notified.

Please contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section if you witnessed this crash or have dash-camera footage of the crash and have not yet spoken to investigators. Tipsters can anonymously report any information to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers by calling 720.913. STOP (7867) or by going to MetroDenverCrimeStoppers.com.

This is the 36th traffic related fatality in the city in 2022.

“We’re extremely saddened by today’s incident,” stated Marshall Brown, General Manager for Aurora Water. “We’re fully cooperating with the investigation and extend our deepest condolences to the victim's family.”


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Oct 07, 2022 at 4:37 PM
  
(August 14) The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating a fatal vehicle crash that occurred overnight near East 40th Avenue and North Tower Road.

On August 14, 2022 at about 2:16 am, officers were called to a crash. When they arrived, they found a two-car crash involving a 2005 Honda sedan and a 2000 Lexus sedan.

Preliminary investigation found the Honda was traveling northbound on North Tower Road at a high rate of speed. The Honda ran the red light at 40th Avenue and struck the Lexus in the intersection. The Lexus caught fire.

The driver of the Lexus and the driver of the Honda were the sole occupants. Sadly, they both suffered grievous injuries and were pronounced deceased on scene.

The identification of the deceased will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office once they have been positively identified and their next-of-kin have been notified.

The intersection was closed for multiple hours so the Traffic Investigators could collect evidence, photographs, and measurements. This investigation is ongoing and will determine if any other factors contributed to the crash.

Please contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section if you witnessed this crash or have dash-camera footage of the crash and have not yet spoken to investigators.

This is the 29th and 30th traffic related fatality for 2022.

Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit | Office of the Chief of Police
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Aug 14, 2022 at 7:43 AM
  
(August 4) The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating a fatal motorcycle and vehicle crash that happened near North Catawba Way and East 6th Parkway.

On August 3, 2022 at about 5:35 p.m., Aurora911 received reports of a serious crash at the intersection of North Catawba Way and East 6th Parkway. Aurora Fire Rescue and Aurora Police responded and found a woman lying in the roadway. The woman was transported to the hospital for medical care. Sadly, she did not survive her injuries and was pronounced deceased a few hours later.

Preliminary investigation indicated that a Dodge pickup truck was traveling southbound on North Catawba Way. The driver proceeded from the stop sign and began crossing over East 6th Parkway. The motorcycle was traveling eastbound on East 6th Parkway and collided with the passenger side of pickup truck at the intersection. The driver of the Dodge remained on scene. No arrests or summons have been issued at this time.

Eastbound East 6th Parkway was closed for multiple hours so the Traffic Investigators could collect evidence, photographs, and take measurements. This investigation is ongoing and will determine if speed is a contributing factor to the crash.

The identification of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office once next of kin has been notified and they have been positively identified.

If you witnessed this crash or have dash-camera footage of the crash, and have not yet spoken to investigators, please contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section.

This is the 25th traffic related fatality of 2022.

Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Aug 04, 2022 at 8:15 AM
  
UPDATE:  Arrest Made
(July 7) On Wednesday July 6, 2022 at about 6 p.m. Eric Lenzy Morris, 43 years-old was taken into custody without incident by the Aurora Police Department.  Mr. Morris was arrested in connection with the homicide that occurred on July 3, 2022 near 15064 East Mississippi Avenue.  

Mr. Morris was arrested on the charge of First Degree Murder.  His booking photograph is included in this press release.  Any additional media inquires should be made to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office.  

We continue to ask anyone with information about this homicide to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP where tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.  

E. Morris booking

Sergeant Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Public Affairs Unit
720.432.5095
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information Previously Released on July 3, 2022

(July 3) On July 3, 2022 at about 1:45 a.m., Aurora Police Officers were notified of a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of 15064 East Mississippi Avenue. A man was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries from being shot . Tragically, he did not survive and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Officers located the crime scene and Investigators from the Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded. As the lead investigators for this incident, they will try to determine all facts and circumstances leading up to the shooting. Investigators believe that the unidentified suspect left the scene in a light colored 4-door pickup truck, either a GMC or Chevrolet. There is no other suspect information at this time and no arrests have been made.

The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased victim once he is positively identified and next of kin has been notified.

If you have any information about this shooting, please contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. 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
Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 07, 2022 at 9:51 AM
  

(June 23) On Tuesday June 22, 2021 at 10:21 a.m., Ryan Scott Avery DOB: 12-31-1981 was taken into custody by the Aurora Police Department without incident.  

The Major Crimes Homicide Unit has since filed charges into the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office against Mr. Avery for Colorado Revised Statute 18-3-102 (1)(a) Murder in the First Degree, a Class 1 Felony.

Mr. Avery's Aurora Police Department booking photo has been included with this news release.  Any additional media inquiries should be directed to the 18th Judicial District Attorney's office regarding this investigation.

We continue to request anyone with any information about this homicide to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP where tips can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.00

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720-432-5095

RyanScottAvery



On Sunday June 20, 2021 at approximately 8:26 a.m. officers responded to a residence at 1620 South Granby Street on a report of a shooting.

Upon officer’s arrival they located a deceased adult woman in the home with an apparent gunshot wound. No one else was found in or around the home. The name of the deceased victim is not being released at this time and will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office at a later time.

The initial investigation had led to Ryan Scott Avery DOB: 12-31-1981 as being a person of interest in this homicide. Avery and the deceased are known to one another.

Avery is described as a white male, 5’11” tall, 155 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be driving a 2008 Silver Lexus IS 4-door bearing Colorado license plate BIX-360 (see attached images).

Investigators believe Avery was in Limon, Colorado on June 19, 2021 in the evening. At this time, officers are working diligently to determine his whereabouts.

Avery also has a nationwide warrant for his arrest in an attempted homicide investigation in Elizabeth, Colorado which occurred on June 19th, 2021. Avery is considered armed and dangerous. If seen, do not approach and call 911.

The Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation into this homicide.  It is in the very early stages and at this time there is no additional information that is being released.

Anyone who witnessed this shooting or has information about the case is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. By using Crime Stoppers tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095 

 

Ryan AveryVehicle FrontVehicle rear
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 23, 2022 at 4:00 PM
  
(June 23) On the evening of June 18, John Jaros was shot and killed while driving on Interstate 70 with his family. Since the time of this tragic incident, Investigators have been working tirelessly to secure justice for this victim and his family.

In the early morning hours of June 23, 2022, the Major Crimes Homicide Unit arrested Jeremy Jacob Rocha, 20 years-old, in Commerce City. Investigators identified multiple witnesses, involved vehicles, collected evidence and conducted several interviews. Their hard work paid off.

Jeremy Rocha was arrested on charges of 1st Degree Murder and four counts of Attempted 1st Degree Murder.

Jeremy Rocha's booking photograph is below.

This case will be prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District.

There was a press conference this afternoon regarding this investigation. You can view that here.


Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

Rocha, Jeremy


Information previously released

(June 18) The Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit is investigating a shooting that occurred in the area of Eastbound I-70 just west of exit 288 (E Colfax Ave).

On June 18, 2022 at 5:35 p.m. Aurora 911 dispatch received a call from a female saying someone was shot on Eastbound I-70. Aurora Police Officers and the Aurora Fire Department responded to Eastbound I-70 just west of exit 288 (Colfax Ave) and located a white 2020 Dodge Ram pickup truck on the right shoulder. Officers located an adult male in the driver side of the pickup truck suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. This male was tragically pronounced deceased.

Detectives from the department's Major Crimes Homicide Unit responded to the scene and will be responsible for this investigation. Preliminary investigation is that there were potential street racers on the highway, a white sedan and a black sedan might be involved. It appears that the Dodge Ram was not involved in the street racing, several shots were fired striking the Dodge Ram and fatally wounded the adult male driver. There were four other passengers in the Dodge Ram pickup including three minor children.

The Adams County Coroner's Officer will release the victim's name after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.

Anyone with information that has not yet spoken to police is asked to reach out to the Aurora Police Major Crimes Homicide Unit Detective Eric White at 303.739.6113 tipsters can be eligible for up to $10,000 reward from the Aurora Reward Fund, or the Metro Denver Crimes Stoppers at 720.913.7867, where tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Officer Elizabeth McGregor
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Jun 23, 2022 at 2:42 PM
  
(May 15) The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating a fatal vehicle crash on Interstate 225 northbound near East Mississippi Avenue.  

On Sunday, May 15, 2022, at about 8:45 a.m., Aurora911 began receiving calls about a serious crash on northbound Interstate 225 near East Mississippi Avenue.  When officers arrived on scene they found a heavily damaged silver Mustang with a single occupant.  The driver of the vehicle, an adult male, was pronounced on scene by medical personnel.  

The preliminary investigation revealed the Mustang was traveling northbound on Interstate 225 and left the roadway, striking the signpost for East Mississippi Avenue exit.  The Aurora Police Traffic Section will attempt to reconstruct the scene to determine the circumstances leading up to the crash.  At this time, it is unknown if speed or intoxication are contributing factors in the crash.  

The identification of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office once they have been positively identified and their next-of-kin have been notified.

Please contact the Aurora Police Traffic Section if you witnessed this crash or have dash-camera footage of the crash, and have not yet spoken to investigators.  

This is the nineteenth traffic related fatality this year in Aurora.  

Acting Lt. Faith Goodrich
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On May 15, 2022 at 12:54 PM
  
(April 9, 2022) The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section is investigating a fatal traffic crash that killed two last night.

On April 8th, 2022 at approximately 8:13p.m. Aurora Police and Fire Rescue responded to a crash involving four cars and an electric bicycle at North Chambers Road and East 6th Avenue.  

Traffic Investigators believe that a Red Honda CRV was traveling northbound in the 500 block of North Chambers Road when it crossed the center median and travelled into the southbound lanes of traffic.  The suspect vehicle struck an electric bicycle at the entrance of a shopping center on the westside of the roadway. The rider of the bicycle was able to dismount before the collision and left the scene. The suspect vehicle continued to travel northbound and struck a Honda CRV that was traveling eastbound on East 6th Avenue. The suspect vehicle then struck two other vehicles that were stopped for the red light in the southbound lanes of Chambers Road.

Tragically, a 41-year-old women who was in the CRV that was struck by the suspect was killed and pronounced deceased at the scene. A 43-year-old man, a 5-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy who were in the CRV were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The 5-year-old girl later died  from her injuries at the hospital. The man remains in critical condition and the boy was treated and released. The occupants of the other vehicles were not injured. 

The suspect in this crash, Juan Pablo Pasqal-Licea of Aurora was also transported to a local hospital for treatment. Once he was treated and released he was arrested for Vehicular Homicide and Driving While Under the Influence.  He is currently in-custody at the Aurora Detention Center.

The names of the victims will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once they have been positively identified and their next of kin have been notified.

The intersection was closed for several hours during the investigation and was re-opened at around 4:30a.m.

Juan Pablo Pasqal-Licea
BOOKING PHOTO: Juan Pablo Pasqal-Licea  , Date of Birth: 05/01/1991 

Acting Captain Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 09, 2022 at 7:57 AM
  
The Aurora Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in obtaining information about an active sexual assault on a juvenile investigation.  On March 24, 2022 at approximately 8:00 P.M., a concerning incident occurred at the Aurora Sports Park located at 19300 E. Colfax Ave.  The incident was reported to police a few days later on March 29, 2022 and detectives from the Crimes Against Children Unit immediately began investigating the incident once reported.  During this incident, it is alleged that an adult male suspect had inappropriate sexual contact with a juvenile in a public restroom.  The suspect is described as being a light skinned black male, with a thin build, approximately 5’9” in height, with short hair. He is reported to have a forearm tattoo that states either “Thug Life” or “Young Life.”  Since reported, this has been an active investigation and therefore further specific details cannot be released at this time.  During the investigation, detectives learned that a similar incident occurred in November of 2021, but this incident was never reported to police. 

The Aurora Police Department asks persons to remain vigilant for suspicious activity in the area of the Aurora Sports Park.  Anyone who has information about these incidents or the identity of the suspect is urged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers by calling 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a rewards of up to $2,000. 

Map of area of crime
Aerial view of the location of the crime

Tips for parents on keeping your children safe from abuse.

Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 08, 2022 at 5:32 PM
  
(April 3) The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on South Buckley Road leaving one pedestrian dead.

On April 3, 2022 at about 9:37 p.m., it is believed that at least one vehicle traveling north on South Buckley Road at East Exposition Drive struck an adult male pedestrian who was walking westbound across South Buckley Road. Additionally, a different vehicle also travelling north on South Buckley Road, later struck the pedestrian. The driver of that vehicle remained on scene and no drugs or alcohol is suspected to be contributing factors.

The victim was tragically pronounced at the scene, the Arapahoe County Coroner will release the victim's name after positive identification and notification of next-of-kin.

Anyone who was driving in the area of South Buckley Road near East Exposition Drive or who witnessed this fatal accident or has any information, including dash camera footage is urged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers by calling 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a rewards of up to $2,000. 

Officer Elizabeth McGregor
Public information Officer
Media Relations Unit 
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 04, 2022 at 10:18 AM
  
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