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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
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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.
On July 2nd, 2021 at approximately 9:45p.m. the Aurora Police Department responded to a report of a one car rollover crash on North Airport Boulevard and East 8th Avenue.
Preliminary investigation reveals that a white Honda CRV was traveling northbound on North Airport Boulevard when it traveled off of the right side of the roadway and rolled ejecting both the driver and passenger. Both occupants were transported to a local hospital where the passenger succumb to her injuries. The driver is still hospitalized.
Traffic investigators believe that speed and alcohol played a factor in this fatal crash.
The identity of the passenger is not being released at this time and will be released by the Adams County Coroner's Office once she has been positively identified and next of kin have notified.
Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Commanding Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(June 20) On Sunday June 20, 2021 at
approximately 4:19 a.m., the Public Safety Dispatch Center (PSDC) received at
least 50 calls for service reporting shots being fired or an active shooter in
a shopping mall parking lot located at 12455 East Mississippi Avenue.
Upon officer’s arrival to the scene they were
confronted with a very large crowd where they located an adult male suffering
from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers began Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR) on the adult male until he was transported to a nearby hospital.
Tragically, he later succumbed to his injuries. His name is not being released
at this time, but will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once
he has been positively identified and his next of kin have been notified.
Four additional victims, three adult males and
one adult female, self-transported to area hospitals. Their injuries range from
minor to serious, but not life threatening.
Information provided to investigators at this
time has revealed there was a Juneteenth celebration in an unnamed unit of the
shopping mall. At some point earlier in the evening presumed organizers of the
celebration began denying access to the unit. This led many attendees to gather
in the parking lot.
It is currently unknown who organized the
gathering, or the name of the establishment in the unnamed unit. That is
information investigators will aim to determine in their ongoing investigation.
Crime Scene Investigators continue to process
the scene and have collected more than 114 shell casings as of this writing.
Early information indicates there were multiple shooters involved in this
incident. Investigators continue to interview witnesses to determine accurate
suspect descriptions which will be shared publicly once known.
This scene is expected to be active much of the
day and will disrupt businesses operational capacity during this time. If
you have a vehicle at the scene inside of the crime scene, please call PSCD to
get further information on how you can retrieve or access your vehicle if
needed while the crime scene is active.
We are asking anyone who has any information
related to this incident to share their tips with Metro Denver Crime Stoppers
at 720.913.STOP. Their 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
Aurora to Host Juneteenth Celebration Event
Singer-songwriter Toney Rocks among the performers
AURORA, Colo. - A Juneteenth celebration featuring live entertainment, kid's activities and community resources will be held Saturday, June 19, at Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Parkway. The event, which runs from 1 to 5 p.m., is sponsored by the Aurora Police Department, city of Aurora, Town Center at Aurora and ReACT (Responding to Aurora's Critical Topics), a volunteer group.
Aurora’s Juneteenth celebration is a family event that will include youth performances, a storyteller, local exhibitors, and musical acts, including Las Vegas singer-songwriter Toney Rocks.
The event will be located inside the shopping mall. "Town Center at Aurora is honored to partner with the City of Aurora to provide a free event in celebration of Juneteenth. We invite the community to join us as we work to create an equitable future for all based on empathy, love and respect." Joel Boyd, General Manager of Town Center at Aurora.
"Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and an opportunity to promote an inclusive community," said Claudine McDonald, Aurora Police Department's Community Relations Chief Executive. "When a community member brought the idea for this event to our ReACT group, we knew this fit right in with Chief Wilson's 'New Way' plan to elevate community voices and show our commitment to a collaborative and community-based future."
"A New Way" is Police Chief Vanessa Wilson's plan for restoring community trust.
"Planning a community event during the pandemic has been a challenge. But our desire to bring Aurora together to learn more about each other, recognize our humanity and where our lives may connect in surprising ways - this is what made us push forward with the event. We invite everyone to come learn more about history and grow together as a community," said Gerald Brewer, Chair, ReACT.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when news of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation reached African Americans in Texas and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The historical significance of the event is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Aurora's diverse cultures.
For scheduled line up of events and exhibitors, please visit www.auroragov.org/Juneteenth.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
The Aurora Police Department, in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies, area school districts, and local nonprofit organizations, will host a Summer Kick-Off event on Saturday, June 5, at Overland High School, 12400 E. Jewell Ave. in Aurora. This free event is open to the public and will provide food and resources to 1,000 Aurora families. The event begins at 10 a.m. and will continue until all food has been distributed.
All Aurora households are eligible regardless of income, size or status. Food items will include ready-to-eat meals, canned and boxed goods, grains, fresh produce, dairy and protein. In addition, 30,000 diapers, 5,000 pounds of pet supplies and 1,000 summer activity packs will be distributed to community members. Summer activity packs include books, at-home activities, water bottles, online resources and community engagement opportunities for kids and teens.
If you drive to the event, remain in your car and wait your turn in line; do not park and leave your vehicle. If you are walking, please remember to practice social distancing while waiting your turn and wear a face covering.
For more information about this event, contact [email protected] or 303.739.7281.
What: The Aurora Police Department, in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies, area school districts, Denver7 News and other nonprofit organizations, is hosting a drive-thru kick-off event to provide food and resources to 1,000 Aurora families.
Who: Aurora Police Department, Food Bank of the Rockies, Aurora Public Schools, Cherry Creek School District, Denver7, Aurora Animal Services, Colorado Pet Pantry, Racing for Paws, SECORCares, WeeCycle and Servicios de La Raza have partnered on this event.
When: Saturday, June 5. The event begins at 10 a.m. and will continue until all food has been distributed.
Media is invited for interviews between 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Overland High School
12400 E. Jewell Ave., Aurora, CO 80012
Why: The past year has caused hardships for many local families. By leveraging resources, community partners are able to expand their reach with the goal of helping Aurora families start the summer with much needed food, baby and pet supplies and summer activity packs to keep teens and kids active.
Event Coordinator: Joshua Nicholas, Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Aurora Police Department
Interview Opportunities:
• Claudine McDonald, Community Relations Chief Executive– Aurora Police Department
• Katie Lopez, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services – Aurora Public Schools
• Erin Pulling, President/CEO – Food Bank of the Rockies
• Julissa Soto, Director of Statewide Programs, Servicios de La Raza
• Amy Pfister, Community Outreach Coordinator, SECORCares
• Christina Stinson, Executive Director, Aurora Interfaith Community Services
• Community Volunteers
Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
 
(June 2, 2021) On May 17, 2021, around 5:54 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to the Flying J, located at 16751 East 32nd Avenue, on an injured person call. An adult male was transported to the hospital after falling backwards and hitting his head in the parking lot of the business. This male was later pronounced deceased on May 20, 2021.
The Adams County Coroner later performed an autopsy and has since ruled this death a homicide. Following this determination, detectives with our Major Crimes Homicide Unit has been investigating this case. The victim has been positively identified as 72-year-old Kevin Stymiest.
Investigators have determined that an argument in the parking lot led to a physical altercation between the victim and another adult male. During the fight, the victim was punched and fell backwards which is when he suffered the fatal injuries. The other male involved in the altercation is cooperating with the investigation and we are consulting with the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for potential criminal charges, if any. This other male will not be identified at this time.
Anyone who might have information on this case, that has not yet spoken to detectives, is asked to submit an online crime tip by going to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers or calling 720.913.7867. Tipsters can also remain anonymous.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
(May 26) On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at approximately 09:00 a.m., District 2 Patrol Officers responded to a shooting at 1305 South Elkhart Way.
Officers located an adult male who had been shot inside of an apartment. This male suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on the scene. Suspect information was gathered by witness statements and a positive identification of the shooter was obtained. The suspect, Demajhea Tuggle (02/02/2003), was quickly located and arrested by our Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team. He was booked into the Aurora Jail on 1st Degree Murder charges. A booking photo is available at the bottom of this press release.
This case continues to be investigated by our Major Crimes Homicide Unit. The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after a positive identification has been made, and his next-of-kin has been notified.
Anyone that has information about this case is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
.png "Demajhea Tuggle")
*there has been a correction to the suspect's name above. It was previously spelled Demaijhea, but should have been Demajhea*
On May 1st, 2021 at approximately 2:40a.m. Aurora Police responded to a report of a single vehicle roll over crash on westbound I-70 between the E-470 tollway and the East Colfax Avenue Exit.
Upon arrival officers located a single vehicle that had traveled off of the right side of the roadway and rolled over. During the crash the adult male driver of the vehicle had been ejected, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The westbound lanes of the Interstate were closed for several hours while the crash was investigated.
The cause of this crash is still under investigation by the Aurora Police Traffic Investigations Unit. The identity of the driver will be released by the Adams County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and his next of kin have been notified.
Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Commanding Officer/Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
(April 29) On Sunday, April 4th, 2021, at approximately 07:15 p.m., District 2 Patrol Officers responded to a shooting at East 35th Avenue and Helena Street.
Officers located an adult male who had been shot and was immediately transported to the hospital. This male suffered fatal injuries and was declared brain dead on April 7th, 2021. An autopsy was performed on April 12th by the Adams County Coroner where it was then officially ruled a homicide. This case is actively being investigated by our Major Crimes Homicide Unit and has not yet resulted in any arrests. Detectives have been able to determine that the incident and shooting happened after the victim left the Maverik Gas Station at North Chambers Road and East 38th Avenue. Detectives were able to identify three vehicles that were potentially involved in this homicide. Those vehicles, pictured below, are believed to be a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, a Volkswagen sedan, and a BWM 7 Series.
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.
Anyone that has information about this case is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
  
(April 28) On Wednesday, April 28th, 2021, at about 12:50 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to a vehicle crash involving an RTD Train on North Chambers Road at Smith Road.
Initial investigation reveals that a sedan was traveling westbound on Smith Road and turned to go northbound on North Chambers Road. Preliminary information obtained by investigators confirms that the driver disregarded the lowered level crossing signals as the train approached. The sedan then made contact with an RTD A-Line Commuter Rail Train traveling eastbound on the tracks. The sole occupant of the vehicle, an adult male, was transported to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. There were 43 people traveling on the RTD train, two of them were evaluated by medical personal but not transported to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle is an adult male in his 30's. His identification will not be released at this time. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were aggravating factors relating to this crash.
Traffic Unit Investigators will continue to investigate and attempt to reconstruct the scene to calculate speeds and other contributing factors. Part of the investigation will include working closely with RTD to obtain and review surveillance camera footage from the intersection to determine if the level crossing signals and lights/audible bell were functioning properly.
We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dashcam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
On Wednesday March 7, 2021 around 9:00 p.m., the Aurora Police Department Public Safety Dispatch Center began receiving numerous calls from citizens reporting “street racers” were intentionally blocking traffic and driving recklessly on southbound Interstate-225. The callers reported, and officers subsequently found, this was significantly impeding the flow of traffic on Interstate-225, and was preventing many, including law enforcement, from traveling through the area safely.
Multiple officers responding to the area observed traffic was in fact slowing or stopped on southbound Interstate-225 between East Alameda Avenue and East Colfax Avenue. It took approximately 20 minutes for officers to be able to navigate through this area upon their arrival.
Officers were observing some vehicles engaging in “burnouts” which is a term commonly referred to when a driver intentionally keeps a vehicle stationary by applying the brakes while simultaneously applying the gas pedal. As a result, smoke is generated from the wheels due to the friction from the roadway and significantly impedes visibility on the roadway. Additionally, officers observed fireworks had been ignited into the air, and they were receiving reports some of the vehicle occupants were holding guns out of their vehicle windows.
Officers initially reported 600-800 vehicles were involved and through further investigation it is unclear exactly how many people were impacted versus intentionally involved in impeding the flow of traffic and other unlawful traffic violations. Regardless, many individuals were unjustly caught in a potentially dangerous situation, law enforcements ability to respond through the area was significantly impacted, and the incident, referred to by some as a “highway takeover”, created potential to impede anyone’s ability to get through the area to nearby hospitals.
As a result, an investigation was immediately initiated by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit with a focus on the organizers or facilitators of the highway takeover. This investigation has resulted in two individuals being identified as being involved or facilitating.
One such individual, a juvenile male, has been issued a state criminal summons with a mandatory court appearance into the Arapahoe County Court for the following Colorado Revised Statues:
• 42-4-1401(1) Reckless Driving
• 42-2-138 (1)(a) Drove Vehicle While License Cancelled
• 42-4-1105 (2)(a) Engaged in Speed Exhibition
Due to the subject involved being a juvenile, and to not further impact the prosecution of this incident, no further information will be provided at this time regarding the juvenile.
The second party investigated as an organizer or facilitator is Anthony Corona DOB 3/2/2000. Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit investigators believe probable cause existed to charge Mr. Corona under the following Colorado Revised Statutes:
• 18-2-201 Conspiracy
• 18-3-208 Reckless Endangerment
• 18-9-107 Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway
• 18-3-303 False Imprisonment
o 45 False Imprisonment counts reflecting the identified victims trapped on I-225 during incident
• 18-9-106 Disorderly Conduct
• 42-4-1105 Exhibition of Speed
• 42-4-1401 Reckless Driving
• 42-4-1103 Impeded Normal Flow of Traffic
Mr. Corona died in a traffic crash in Broomfield on April 4, 2021, before Aurora Police Traffic Unit investigators could formally file the above charges against him with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Any additional information on the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Corona should be directed to the Broomfield Police Department as they are the investigating agency. Due to Mr. Corona’s death the investigation being conducted by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit has been closed.
Traffic related injuries and deaths are not only predictable, they are preventable when related to illegal street racing, highway takeovers or other unlawful driving behaviors. Additionally, these incidents are a nuisance and victimize our residential and business communities, and it will not be tolerated by the Aurora Police Department.
The City will now be using Aurora Municipal Code (AMC) 137-7 to target the owners of vehicles that are involved in illegal activities on the roadways regardless of whether they were the driver of the vehicle. Illegal activities include but are not limited to the following traffic violations:
• Section 1401: Reckless Driving
• Section 1402: Careless Driving
• Section 1105: Speed Contest—Speed Exhibitions
• Section 94-71: Trespass
• Section 94-38: Reckless Endangerment
Owners vehicles identified in illegal activities will be provided a notice letter that if the activity continues, they could be subject to prosecution under AMC137-7. A portion of that notice letter reads:
“As the vehicle owner, you are hereby notified that you must make a good faith effort to prevent, through appropriate action or otherwise, any person from re-committing any of the above acts or other street racing related acts contrary to law with your vehicle.”
We would like to thank the many members of the public for their patience while we investigated this complex incident. Additionally, we want to thank those who proactively provided assistance in this investigation. We continue to encourage everyone to report street racing to www.ReportStreetRacing.com. The Aurora Police Department is an active member of this working group of over 30 law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan area.
Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
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