APD releases annual report

AURORA | Police today released their annual public safety report. 

The 43-page report details crime statistics, some notable cases from 2010 and some of the department’s achievements from last year. 

“Despite the ongoing challenges of the economy in 2010, our city continues to thrive, and our employees can take pride in their special contribution to building and maintaining our great city,” Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said in the report.

The report is available at the department’s website, www.aurorapolice.com. 

Accused cancer faker pleads not guilty

Julie Jane Martin

AURORA | An Oregon woman accused of faking cancer and swindling a local charity out of more than $10,000 pleaded not guilty to felony theft Monday.

Julie Jane Martin, 38, is scheduled to go on trial in November, according to a spokeswoman for the Arapahoe County district attorney.

Police say Martin lied to officials from the Aurora charity Cops Fighting Cancer about being sick for more than a year, bilking the organization for air travel, hotel stays and other expenses.

At a court hearing in February, Martin’s lawyer said the Oregon woman had gone deaf since being charged last summer. A sign language interpreter was in the courtroom for Martin during that hearing, translating the precedings for her.

Prosecutors, however, were dubious of Martin’s claim of deafness, citing the allegations that she previously faked a terminal illness and asked that Martin provide documentation about her scheduled surgery.

Martin is currently free on bond. 

Man facing charges after Fat Boys shooting

AURORA | Police have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with a shooting last week outside an Aurora bar. 

Tyson Joseph Turner is facing an attempted murder charge stemming from the shooting early June 23 outside Fat Boys bar at 10660 E. Alameda Ave., police said. 

The victim, whose name has not been released, is recovering from his injuries and is expected to survive, police said. 

According to Arapahoe County Jail records, Turner was booked into jail late last Thursday, less than 24 hours after the shooting. 

In addition to the attempted murder charge, Turner has been charged with first-degree assault and possession of a weapon by a previous offender. 

He is being held on a $500,000 bail and is set to appear in court Wednesday, according to jail records. 

Police have not released Turner's mug shot. 

Arraignment delayed in Central shooting case

Luis Guzman-Rincon

AURORA | The arraignment was delayed Monday for a man police say shot an Aurora Central High School student in front of the school last year. 

Luis Guzman-Rincon, 19, was expected to enter a plea at the hearing Monday morning in Arapahoe County District Court, but the hearing was continued until Aug. 8. 

It wasn’t immediately clear Monday why the hearing was delayed. 

Police say Guzman, a gang member who is in the country illegally, shot 16-year-old Karina Vargas in December during a dispute with other gang members. Vargas was an innocent bystander, police said. 

A judge ruled last month there was ample evidence for Guzman-Rincon to stand trial on several charges related to the Dec. 6, shooting, including attempted first-degree murder.

In all, Guzman-Rincon faces 16 charges that could send him to prison for the rest of his life. Federal immigration officials say he is in the country illegally and faces deportation if he is freed.

Arrests made in cell store robbery

AURORA | Police arrested two people Saturday in connection with a robbery at a cell phone store last week rthat left an employee injured. 

Jake Morales, 22, and Amanda Blankenship, 25, each face an aggravated robbery charge in connection with the June 21 robbery at a store in the 15000 block of East Colfax Avenue. 

Blankenship, who police say was the getaway driver, also faces a second-degree assault charge after police say she struck a store employee with her car when the employee chased Morales from the store. 

According to a statement from Aurora police Monday, an officer recognized a surveillance photo of Morales and later found the suspect vehicle at a motel 15600 block of East Colfax Avenue, a short distance from the cell phone store. Police found Blankenship at the motel and arrested her. Morales was arrested a short time later at a different motel in the 11200 block of East Colfax Avenue, police said. 

Investigators have not released the pair’s mug shots. 

Curfew crackdown this weekend

AURORA | Police are again cracking down on young people who stay out past curfew this weekend. 

The department announced Friday officers again will be on the lookout for curfew violators this weekend, issuing warnings or citations to young people out past midnight on the weekends and 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

During a similar crackdown two weeks ago, police cited four people for curfew violations, though it wasn’t immediately clear Friday how many warnings they issued. 

Last year, APD issued 115 summonses for curfew violations. 

And, police said, 80 of those incidents were tied to another crime, such as weapons offenses, drugs or disorderly conduct. Others involved underage alcohol possession. 

The penalty for a curfew violation is a $25 fine.

Police: Burglar tried to attack 4 year old

AURORA | A burglar broke into a home early Thursday morning and tried to sexually assault a 4-year-old girl, police said. 

The incident happened around 6 a.m. in a home in northwest Aurora, said Aurora police spokesman Detective Bob Friel. Police are not saying what block the home is on. 

Friel said the girl’s parents heard noises coming from the girl’s room and when they went in to check, they saw a man standing over the girl. The man then fled the home.

Friel said the man tried to have “unlawful sexual contact” with the child and may have succeeded. 

The man is described as being between 15 and 19 years old and standing between five feet, five inches tall and five feet, nine inches tall. 

Police do not believe the incident is connected to any other crimes, but Friel said detectives are in a very early stage of the investigation.