Arrest made in Central shooting

AURORA | The man who shot an Aurora Central High School student in front of the school Monday afternoon has been arrested, police said.

The man, whose name has not been released, was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Aurora, according to a statement from Aurora police.

Police said the man was being questioned at police headquarters Wednesday afternoon.

The shooting happened around 2:30 p.m. Monday at the intersection of East 11th Avenue and Newark Street, just a few yards from the campus’ northern edge.

Police said when officers arrived at the scene, the victim had already been rushed to a local hospital by friends in a purple Acura Integra.

The victim has been identified as Karina Vargas, 17, a Central High junior.

Police haven’t said publicly whether the girl was in a car or in the street when she was shot, but a spokesman said the department knows that information.

Witnesses said Monday there was supposed to be a fight between gang members at the intersection around the time of the shooting, but police said the victim was not involved in any altercation before she was shot.

Police said the shooting may have been gang related.

Cops now seek Infiniti related to ACHS shooting

A car similar to the one police are
searching for, photo courtesy of APD.

AURORA | Police said this afternoon they are looking for a black, 1990s Infiniti sedan in connection with a shooting Monday near Aurora Central High School. 

Initial reports from police on Monday said they were looking for a black or primer gray Dodge Neon, but police said in a statement today that description was incorrect. 


The victim, a 17-year-old student at Central, remained hospitalized Tuesday, a spokeswoman for University of Colorado Hospital said. The spokeswoman said the girl's family asked for privacy and the hospital could not release further information about her condition.


We will have more on this story later this afternoon. 

Click below for the full release from Aurora police. 

Fraud crackdown finds billions in losses

AURORA | Federal prosecutors said yesterday that a nationwide crackdown on financial crime netted charges against 343 people accused of $2.1 billion in fraud. 

In Colorado alone, investigators filed four criminal cases that involved 882 victims losing more than $55 million, according to a statement from the United States Attorney’s Office in Denver. 

Click below for the full release from the US Attorney. 

No updates yet for Central High shooting

AURORA | Police said this morning they likely won’t have any updates on yesterday’s shooting at Aurora Central High School until later today at the earliest. 

We will update here and on the twitter feed as soon as we hear more. 

For now, click below for our story on the shooting that ran today.

CSP launches new anti-DUI effort

AURORA | The Colorado State Patrol is increasing its efforts to keep holiday revelers from driving drunk this month. 

In addition to increased DUI patrols from now until early next month, State Patrol is offering rewards including free cab vouchers and hotel stays to drivers who pledge not to driver drunk. 

“You can still have a good time with friends and family, but take responsibility for yourself to be safe and line up a sober ride if you’re celebrating with alcohol.  If you don’t plan ahead, that’s when bad situations arise and you can end up behind bars or worse,” Col. James Wolfinbarger, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in a statement announcing the contest.

According to the statement, anyone who takes the plan ahead pledge is eligible to win a free night out in Denver, including an overnight hotel stay, dinner for two and a town car for safe and sober transportation.  Also, businesses that encourage their employees to be safe this holiday season can enter to win a free holiday lunch for their employees. All of the information can be found at www.PlanAheadColorado.com.  

Click below for the CDOT and CSP release. 

Search for missing woman continues

Durst and George. Click to enlarge.

AURORA | Police continued to search this week for a 21-year-old woman whose boyfriend was found slain the couple’s Aurora apartment last month.

Tiffany Shantay Durst was last seen just a few days before police found Terence Scott George, 22, dead Nov. 22 inside Durst’s apartment in the 12200 block of East Kepner Place.

Police said Thursday that Durst’s family and friends have not heard from her for more than two weeks.

Police are calling Durst a person of interest in the man’s death and said they want to make sure she is safe.

Durst might be driving a 1996 maroon Oldsmobile Cutlass with Colorado license plate 750-VBW.

Also Thursday police released another picture of Durst and George.

Police are asking anyone with information on the case to contact Detective Chuck Mehl at 303-739-621.

FBI looking for bank robbery suspect

AURORA | The FBI is looking for a woman who robbed an Aurora bank Tuesday morning. 

The robbery happened about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Bank of the West at 1389 S. Havana St. 

According to a statement from the FBI, a black woman in her 20s approached a teller and showed note demanding money. The woman then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. 

The FBI described the woman as between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall with a very thin build. Investigators have dubbed her the “Slim Fast Bandit.”

During the robbery, the woman was wearing a striped knit cap and a jacket with a fur-lined hood. 

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the robbery to call the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force at 303-629-7171; or remain anonymous and earn up to $2,000 by calling Crimestoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).