It may be 2026, but cars probably shouldn’t be flying like that.➡️ Early yesterday morning officers in D2 located a stolen vehicle after they got a Flock hit. Officers in an unmarked car followed the stolen car briefly to deploy StarChase equipment. StarChase is equipment attached to the front of police vehicles and when activated and deployed, shoot a sticky GPS "dart" onto the back of whatever vehicle we are aiming at. Unfortunately, the dart missed and so officers activated their lights and sirens. Instead of pulling over, a masked back passenger leaned out of the car and pointed a gun at officers. Luckily, no shots were fired, but we knew right then and there it was critical to stop these individuals. That’s when a pursuit began.🚔 After hitting a median, Dukes-of-Hazard style, the stolen vehicle crashed at Boiling Drive and North Hannibal Street. And yet, the suspects didn’t stop there. They decided to run. So, we kept going. Because we don’t stop either. Because of solid coordination and teamwork with @DenverPolice we found all three suspects: 18-year-old Angelo Munguia, 18-year-old Watti Heng and one 17-year-old juvenile male hiding in backyards. They were taken into custody and SHOCKER, the car did indeed come back stolen out of a neighboring city. This was a chaotic and dangerous situation, but the end results are exactly what we and you expect, officers using the right resources to take violent offenders off our streets so that we can work to keep our community safe. #CommunityCommitment #APDInAction [Media Description: Video of pursuit with suspects who crash, run from officers and are subsequently found and arrested.]

Drones➡️ K9 ➡️ and a coordinated effort ‼️ Last Friday, just after 8 p.m., officers responded to reports of a serious crash at Peoria Street and 13th Avenue. It was so much more, and so much worse. A 1-year-old infant was found critically injured and an adult man was killed. Witnesses told our officers the suspect was speeding, ran a red light and t-boned the a car. Then he did what too many people think will work...he got out and ran. Bad choice. Our Drones as First Responders were immediately deployed and quickly got a heat signature hit in a field inside Nome Park, just adjacent to the crash site. The suspect, 19-year-old Jonathon Garcia, tried hiding in thick brush. But hiding never works with us. With drone guidance overhead, one of our K9s was sent in. He tracked the suspect and latched. Officers were closely behind and arrested Garcia without further incident. This is what happens when technology and teamwork show up at the same time. A successful collaboration of resources: because finding our suspects who victimize people in our city isn’t just our job. It’s our everything. #CommunityCommitment #APDInAction [Media Description: Video showing officer's response to hit and run crash, with body camera footage, drone and other elements up to suspects arrest. ]

This is why we pursue➡️🚨 Just before 8 a.m. on Saturday, District 2 officers, while on proactive patrol, spotted a Nissan Maxima near East Alameda Avenue and South Sable Boulevard. The car had no license plate, and the driver was wearing a ski mask. Both, immediate red flags. Officers attempted to stop the car…but of course the driver didn’t stop. That’s when the pursuit began.🚔 Within a matter of minutes, the vehicle lost control and crashed into a cluster of small trees near East Alameda Avenue and South Havana Street. The driver, 33-year-old Sean Wroblewski, revved the engine trying to flee again even though there was no way out. Officers gave commands to exit the vehicle. Wroblewski, out of options, eventually complied and was taken into custody. He was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Accountability hurts sometimes. When officers searched the vehicle, it was a frenzy of stolen and illegal items. Buckle up because it’s an impressive list. ◾A handgun with a defaced serial number. ◾21 grams of methamphetamine. ◾Birth Certificates that were definitely not Wroblewski’s. ◾More than 35 suspected stolen credit cards. ◾About 50 fraudulent checks. ◾A large amount of stolen mail. This is why we pursue. This is why proactive policing matters. Because law abiding citizens don’t run from police. Because our community deserves better. Because we aren’t letting up in 2026. #CommunityCommitment #APDInAction #SaferAurora

New year: Same APD focus, and we aren’t letting up.🚨 If you are in our city in a stolen vehicle. Expect arrest, nothing else. On Sunday, while on a proactive patrol officers spotted a Kia with no license plate around 16th and Peoria. Officers attempted a normal traffic stop, but the Kia had other plans and took off. A pursuit began.➡️ Along the way, a dip in the street made the lose it’s tires. Sparks started flying from the rims… Spoiler alert: sparks don’t make you faster, they slow you down. After a short time, a PIT maneuver finally stop the car. The driver was taken into custody without any further incident and the vehicle. Surprise surprise it was confirmed stolen out of Denver. The driver 40-year-old Jesus Betancourt Jr. already had a felony warrant for Motor Vehicle Theft out for his arrest. #APDInAction

🚨 Starting 2026 off strong! 🚓 One of our Sergeants teamed up with our motor unit on I-225 Thursday to conduct a traffic operation. The results speak for themselves➡️ 54 traffic summonses 23 speeding tickets (including 2 drivers going 103 mph!) 19 registration citations 12 other traffic violations 1 stolen car recovered Our message is clear: safe roads start with enforcement and we’re not slowing down.#APDInAction

A gun and a felony amount of fentanyl now off the streets. 🚨 Last week on the 29th, at about 4:52 a.m., D1 officers, utilizing our flock camera systems, were alerted to a stolen vehicle near N. Peoria and E. 23rd Ave. Officers attempted to stop the truck, the driver had other plans... That's when the pursuit started.➡️ Stop sticks were deployed near E. 11th along Peoria which deflated two of the truck’s tires. That didn’t stop the truck either. Finally, a PIT maneuver was conducted and two people were taken into custody. A firearm was located in the vehicle along with a felony amount of fentanyl…a lethal combination. ◾The driver: 32-year-old Werner McKay was arrested on charges of eluding, motor-vehicle theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a weapon by a previous offender. ◾The passenger: 34-year-old Ashley Carrasco was arrested on charges of trespassing and possession of a weapon by a previous offender. This is why we pursue. Drivers who refuse to stop rarely have nothing to hide. This is also why technology like flock cameras are necessary tools for 21st century policing. Without them, a gun and dangerous drugs would still be circulating in our community. #CommunityCommitment #SaferAurora #APDInAction

Thanks to department technology and license plate reader cameras, a child was safely reunited with their mother.‼️ Earlier this month in Denver, a car was left idling in front of a home. Inside was a 14-month-old child. Moments later, the vehicle was gone. Stolen, in a matter of seconds. Information about the stolen vehicle was quickly shared with other metro Denver police departments and the dedicated men and women of APD’s Real Time Information Center went to work. Leveraging license plate reader cameras, officers were able to track the vehicle traveling eastbound on Colfax shortly after the theft. Officers quickly located the vehicle abandoned in an alley. The child was found safe and asleep in their car seat. The mother thanked officers for their quick response, telling them, “That’s a lesson learned.” The lesson we hope the community takes away though, is this➡️ Our technology is not used to monitor or track people. It is used for moments like this and countless others. To respond faster. To reduce victimization. To locate suspects quickly. And in this case, to reunite a family. Without this technology, this outcome could have looked very different. #APDInAction #CommunityCommitment #whywewearthebadge [Media Description: Video showing officers arriving to abandoned vehicle and child being reunited with its mother.]

🎁 Community, Connection, and Care 🎁 APD recently had the privilege of partnering with residents from Aspen Meadows, a 62 and disability-accessible housing community, for a special Shop with a Cop event. Officers spent the morning shopping alongside seniors, helping them pick out holiday necessities and sharing meaningful conversation along the way. A heartfelt thank you to Walmart for welcoming our group and making this experience possible. Your support helped ensure our senior community members had access to essential items during the holiday season. At APD, we value opportunities like this that strengthen relationships, build trust, and show up for our community in simple but impactful ways. #WhyWeWeartheBadge #CommunityCommitment #apdinaction

Have you ever seen Santa rappel from a building?! The Grinch may have stolen the presents but fear not! Santa rappelled down the side of Children's Hospital Colorado to get those gifts back and save Christmas! 🎅🎄 The patients, families and visitors at @ChildrensColo got a visit from the big guy earlier this week, who may or may not be part of APD's SWAT Team... Our Motors unit and SWAT truck were there too for the hospital's annual holiday parade.🚔 A fun and heartwarming event aimed at bringing joy to these children’s lives when they need it most. It was an honor to be a small part in that joy! ❤️#WhyWeWeartheBadge #APDinAction

Big things happen when community partners come together🙌 Recently, APD teamed up with The Salvation Army to distribute 500 food boxes to elementary schools across Aurora. These boxes will support families during the holiday season and help ensure students have what they need at home. The holiday season is the perfect time to volunteer and give back to your community! A special thank you to The Salvation Army for providing the food and to our incredible APD Volunteers for packing each box with care. Learn more about APD’s Volunteer Program by visiting AuroraGov.org/APDVolunteer When we work together, we make a difference in our community!🤍 #CommunityCommitment #APDInAction [Media Description: Volunteers and APD members with boxes full of food for donations.]

Remember that short pursuit on Monday with a stolen vehicle that crashed into a pole at Alameda and Peoria?🚔 ➡️This city camera video we’re releasing today shows this wasn’t just a risky split-second decision, the danger started long before the engine even revved. The passenger was 41-year-old Sheena Fuentes, who you might remember was arrested in October for accessory to murder related to an October 24th homicide on Del Mar Circle. She was out on bond for that charge at the time of the pursuit and crash. And the driver? That was 52-year-old Manuel Tovar, a man with an extensive criminal history. The pair were in a confirmed stolen car and took off at high speed, tried to make a fast left onto Alameda, and lost control. The car hit a pole and both died on scene. The vast majority of those who decide to elude our officers, and we pursue, have a criminal history. Only 16% of our pursuits end in crashes. This is yet another reminder: People who run from police don’t just break the law, they gamble with lives, including their own. Our crime stats are not just numbers. Behind every number is a real person whose life has been changed by crime. We are here to keep our Aurora community safe. If someone chooses to break the law and flee in a stolen vehicle, we will pursue them, and we will hold them accountable. #APDInAction [Media Description: Video showing pursuit and crash with suspects former booking photos.]

🚨Black Friday shopping is here, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us… and so are the thieves. Shoplifters who think we don’t have cameras? Records? Partnerships with retailers across the city? Social media pages where we can share their faces so the community knows exactly who to look out for? Well…they’re obviously wrong.‼️ Every year, the same repeat offenders try to blend into the crowds, hoping the chaos will cover their tracks. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.❌ Our officers, loss prevention teams and retail partners track the patterns, document the faces and work together to stop theft before it snowballs.🚔 Here are a few of the many people making shoplifting their holiday tradition. We’re sharing their photos as a heads-up to businesses and shoppers: stay alert, secure your bags and report anything suspicious. The more eyes out there, the less room thieves have to operate. Let’s keep Aurora’s holiday season merry, bright and a lot less convenient for criminals. If you steal whether it’s a candy bar or a car we will be aggressively and proactively tracking you down.💪 If you do see something, say something and call us at 303.739.6000 or contact Metro Denver Crimestoppers. #APDInAction #SaferAurora

Huge shoutout to our K9 Unit‼️ Last week, our officers assisted the @DEAROCKYMTNDiv during a traffic stop that led to a major drug seizure. During the operation, our newest K9, Makar, worked alongside his handler and alerted to the vehicle helping uncover approximately 76 pounds of methamphetamine. 🚔🚨 Getting this amount of dangerous drugs off our streets is critical to keeping our community safe. This remains an active investigation, but we’re proud of the strong partnership with the DEA and the outstanding work from our K9 Unit. Makar may be new to the team, but he’s already making a big impact.💪 Amazing work all around. #APDInAction

🚔Registration Violation Traffic Operation Results ‼️ Our Traffic Section continues to prioritize roadway safety and compliance. During last week's registration enforcement operation, teams from Traffic Command, Motors, and our day and night traffic units partnered to address violations across the city. Registration violations: something Aurora citizens have noticed and have asked us to continue to address. The results: ➡️117 registration summonses ➡️11 additional traffic summonses ➡️132 parking tickets. ➡️30 warnings These coordinated efforts help keep our streets safer for everyone in the community. #APDInAction #SaferAurora

🚨From a missing plate to illegal guns off the street 🚨 Last week, one of our District 1 officers was patrolling near East 16th Avenue and North Paris Street when a black Mercedes with no front plate caught his eye. As soon as he pulled behind it, the driver made a very quick turn into a self-serve car wash… at 9 p.m. Not exactly prime car wash hours. The officer followed and made contact. While speaking with the back passenger, the officer recognized him as someone previously flagged in multiple weapons-related incidents and tied to a group known for illegal guns and violent crimes. Given that history and the passengers’ nervous, abrupt movements, officers believed there could be firearms accessible inside the car. And they were very right. During a safety search of the vehicle, officers found three illegal guns, including: • A Glock 19 with a loaded magazine • A Sig Sauer P320, also with a loaded magazine • A Glock 21 with a 27-round extended magazine The passenger later admitted he bought at least two of the guns through an online app, without a background check. What started as a simple traffic stop ended with three illegally possessed firearms taken off the street including a gun with an extended magazine capable of doing serious damage. Illegal guns are fueling too many violent crimes in our city. Taking even one off the street matters. Taking three in a single stop makes a difference. #APDInAction #CommunityCommitment #OneLessGun #SaferAurora

🚨 Have Questions About Aurora’s Off-Highway Vehicle Ordinance?❓ We heard you. Many parents and riders have asked what the new rules mean, where off-highway vehicles are allowed and how the ordinance affects families. With that in mind, an easy-to-read FAQ has been created that breaks down everything you need to know from age restrictions to where these vehicles are prohibited inside city limits. 👉 Read the full FAQ here: auroragov.org/news/whats_new… If you have kids who ride dirt bikes or other off-highway vehicles, take a minute to review the information and help keep them safe. #APDInAction #SaferAurora

🚨Aurora Police Fully Launch Real Time Information Center🚨 We’ve officially activated every piece of our Real Time Information Center (RTIC) and with this week’s launch of our Drones as First Responders program, the system is now fully live and working around the clock for Aurora. You’ve probably seen our posts, sharing how The RTIC has helped us track down criminals and solve crimes. The RTIC brings all our technology into one place: city cameras, Flock license plate readers, Drones as First Responders and the Axon FUSUS platform so our team can give officers real-time support the moment a call comes in.👏 The RTIC boosts both community and officer safety by using video technology to gather information and share that with officers on the ground as events unfold. Since going live in March, RTIC staff have helped officers➡️ • stay safer on dangerous calls • locate suspects faster • recover stolen vehicles • find missing children • gather real-time evidence to speed up investigations ‼️And the results speak for themselves‼️ • Arrests are up 48.7% compared to the same period last year. • Part 1 crime is down 24%, meaning 3,328 fewer victims in our community. “Adding the Flock Drones as First Responders program is the final piece bringing all the capabilities of our Real Time Information Center to fruition. This addition expands our real-time capabilities ensuring every response is as safe and effective as possible.” said Deputy Chief Phil Rathbun. The bottom line: The RTIC is helping us solve more crimes, reduce victimization and strengthen community and officer safety across Aurora. #APDInAction #CommunityCommitment [Media Description: Video sharing details and a showcase of APD's new Real Time Information Center.]

🚨 Drive-By Shooting Suspect Arrested Hours After Shooting🚨 Quick teamwork, sharp eyes and solid police work led to the fast arrest of a drive-by shooting suspect last week. Last Thursday around 10:45 p.m., officers were called to South Gibraltar Street after shots were fired into a home. Thanks to a clear vehicle description from a witness and security camera footage of the suspect speeding away, a sergeant quickly spotted the car, a silver Chrysler with no plates, just minutes later.➡️ The Chrysler was stopped by APD officers shortly after. The driver cooperated. The passenger did not. That passenger, Joshua Busey, 21, refused to comply with officers to get on the ground. He was arrested after refusing commands and resisting officers even after a less-lethal, 40 MM was deployed. A gun was found in plain sight inside the car. Investigators later confirmed Busey was prohibited from possessing any weapons because of a protection order. They also learned the home he shot into wasn’t by accident, it was a targeted event. Busey is being held on no bond for: • Illegal discharge of a firearm • Criminal mischief • Possession of a large-capacity magazine • Domestic violence • Violation of a protection order • Prohibited use and possession of a weapon Formal charges are still pending through the 18th Judicial District. Luckily, no one was injured in the shooting and strong teamwork by patrol officers and detectives prevented the situation from escalating even further. But the incident didn't end without a cost, as damage to the victim's home and vehicles is estimated at $7,500. Strong teamwork by patrol and detectives stopped this situation from escalating even further.👏 Also, fun fact, Busey’s hand was in fact, not broken… #APDInAction #OneLessGun #CommunityCommitment [Media Description: Video shows evidence and body camera footage of arrest of shooting suspect.]

🚨You can run, but you can’t hide.‼️ Last week, Aurora officers responded to a reported home invasion after a witness heard screaming and saw a man climb through a window. When officers arrived, no one answered the door. Fearing someone was in danger, they forced entry finding the front door barricaded with furniture. Inside, they discovered a terrified woman who said 52-year-old Lawrence Howard had been holding her hostage before running out the back door. That’s when the chase began.➡️ Patrol officers, K9 units, and our Real-Time Information Center quickly established a perimeter and began an intensive neighborhood search using drones and K9s. K9 Jax started sniffing and circling a backyard shed, showing signs someone was inside. When officers tried to open the door, it wouldn’t budge indicating someone was holding it shut. After getting it partially open, they spotted Howard hiding inside. He surrendered and was arrested without further incident.👏 Howard faces multiple charges, including domestic violence, false imprisonment, assault, burglary, harassment, and violating a protection order, which the victim already had against him. He’s now being held in jail with no bond. Another dangerous suspect is off the streets thanks to quick action, teamwork, and relentless determination of our officers to protect our community. #APDInAction #CommunityComittment

🚨New Ordinance Now in Effect 🚨 Parents listen up! Kids riding dirt bikes and other off-highway vehicles on city streets has always been illegal in Aurora. But now, there’s an added layer of accountability. Starting today (Nov. 8), parents and guardians can be fined at least $250 if they knowingly allow a child under 18 to drive or ride an off-highway vehicle anywhere in the city. That includes public roads, sidewalks, trails, parks and open spaces, even if the bike is electric. This new ordinance was created because officers continue to see serious crashes and injuries involving minors riding these powerful machines where they don’t belong. They’re fast, unpredictable, and extremely dangerous both for the rider and everyone around them. ❌Bottom line: These vehicles are not street legal. 🚳Kids cannot ride them in the city. ‼️Parents will now be held accountable. Please, talk to your kids. Know where they’re riding. Help us prevent another tragedy and keep our community, especially our kids safe. #APDInAction #SaferAurora