Aurora Police Department

2018-11-07 18:00:02

Here’s a great example of why we implore you to call 911 when you see criminal activity in progress or suspicious behaviors occurring: Around 10:25 p.m. Nov. 2, a couple of our officers responded to a call of two subjects inside a vehicle possibly smoking cannabis in the 100 block of N. Eastern Ave. Upon arrival, the officers located the vehicle and as they approached it, the driver attempted to drive around them in an attempt to leave the scene. The driver thought better of his decision after the officers ordered him to stop, and upon questioning, the officers smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle’s interior. The two were ordered out of the car and a loaded handgun was immediately spotted on the floor board. Charged through the Kane County State’s Attorney with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon was Michael Hernandez, 22, of the 1000 block of N. Ohio St., Aurora. His passenger, a 14 year old Aurora boy, was charged with local ordinance violations for curfew, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charge against Hernandez is not proof of guilt. He is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the burden of the State to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

2018-11-07 14:00:02

Intersections with the most crashes through September 30 (and the number of crashes): 1. Route 59 & Ogden/Rt. 34 (50) 2. Eola & Ogden/Rt. 34 (48) 3. Galena & Orchard (43) 4. New York & Rt. 59 (42) 5. Butterfield/56 & Eola (41) 6. Eola & North Aurora/Indian Trail (39) 7. Eola & Liberty (36) 8. Indian Trail & Lake (35) 9. Rt. 59 & 75th (34) 10. Eola & New York (33) Total Crashes Citywide-4338 Back off on the accelerator, put down the cell phone and drive defensively. Your life (or someone else's) may depend on it.

2018-11-06 23:00:01

We're looking to talk to these individuals about the theft of over $1600 worth of sunglasses from a store at the Outlet Mall on Sept. 9. Note that the subject with the baseball cap had two small children with him at the time of the theft. If you know who they are, please call Investigations at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

2018-11-06 18:00:01

Some Numbers to Ponder: • Total Motor Vehicle Burglaries in October-33 • Number of Vehicles Left Unlocked- 22 (67%) Items Taken: Purses, Wallets, Cash, Jewelry, Electronics, Credit Cards, Tools, Key Fobs and Other Things. By Area: • Area 1 (West Side)-17 Vehicle Burglaries; 13 Vehicles Unlocked (76%) • Area 2 (Near East and Far North East Side) 9 Vehicle Burglaries; 5 Unlocked (56%) • Area 3 (Far East and South East Side) 7 Vehicle Burglaries; 5 Unlocked (71%) Almost all motor vehicle burglaries are preventable if you remember two things: • Take it or Trunk it. • Lock it or Lose it. Motor vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity. The thieves prefer easy pickings and they know their “business” is a target rich environment. That’s why they check for unlocked doors. If they find the vehicle is secure and they cannot see anything valuable through the windows, they simply go on to the next car or truck and repeat the process. Remember too that motor vehicle burglaries take valuable time away from the Aurora Police that could be better devoted to addressing and preventing more serious crimes. Please do yourself and everyone else a favor--- Secure your vehicles and take anything of value with you--- or stash it out of plain view.

2018-11-06 14:00:02

Polls are open until 7 p.m. tonight!

2018-11-05 23:00:02

Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Waller County Sheriff's Office Deputy Loren Valquez who died in the line of duty last week. Rest peacefully Deputy.

2018-11-05 18:00:01

We’re looking for information on a weekend shooting that occurred around 2:35 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 in the 300 block of Center Ave. Two men, ages 18 and 22, were sitting in a vehicle parked on the street when a man who had his face concealed walked up, opened fire into the vehicle, then ran from the scene. Each man was hit by gunfire more than one time. The victims ended up driving to an Aurora Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening wounds. There is no further suspect description and no motive has yet been established. If you saw or know anything, please call Investigations at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.

2018-11-05 14:00:01

We see traffic violations such as this frequently. Some people continue to be uncertain as to what the law states when it comes to a right turn on red. Remember, a right turn on red is permitted, by law, anywhere in the State except when there is a traffic control sign prohibiting the turn. However, before a right turn on red can be made the vehicle must come to a full and complete stop behind the stop line. After stopping, and yielding to any cross traffic or pedestrians, the vehicle may proceed with the right turn. The complete language of the statute can be found by searching 625 ILCS 5/11-306(c)3. It is also discussed in the Illinois Rules of the Road book, page 26 http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a112.pdf

2018-11-04 14:00:02

We love our Vets in Aurora! Come show your appreciation at the annual Veteran's Day Parade one week from today, Sunday, Nov. 11 at 10:15 a.m. The parade steps off at Benton and Broadway and ends in front of the GAR Memorial Hall where a special ceremony will take place.

2018-11-03 17:00:03

If you see fireworks or hear loud booms in the air tonight around 8:45 p.m., it's part of the Aurora Indian American Advisory Board's annual Diwali Festival at Waubonsie Valley High School. It concludes with a fireworks display which is shot from the Oakhurst Clubhouse parking lot.

2018-11-03 16:11:49

UPDATED POST: We are continuing to investigate a fatal crash that claimed the life of an 18-year-old man on the city’s West Side Friday night. At 7:53 p.m., we were dispatched to the 800 block of Taylor Ave. for a report of a vehicle burglary in progress after a resident received an alert on his phone detecting motion in his back yard. He reported that, on the app, he saw an African-American male standing near his vehicle deep in the driveway behind his house. The resident walked outside and saw the man along with two others, running from his home. Upon response to the area, officers saw three men matching the description of those seen by the resident, standing near a different car on Russell Ave., just a couple of blocks away. The officers shined their spotlights on the men and they all took off running into the back yards on Russell. The officers got out of their squad and tried to follow the suspects but they lost sight of them. Shortly thereafter, a woman driving in the area of Indian Trail and Highland Ave. saw two males running across Highland. She observed a third male emerge from the back yards and run into traffic on Highland, where he was struck by a passing 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a 40 year old Aurora woman. The witness saw two APD squad cars in the area and flagged them down to advise them. That is when the two officers discovered Demaszjae Miller, 18, of the 800 block of N. View St. in the roadway suffering from critical injuries. They immediately called for Aurora Fire Department Paramedics who transported Miller to an Aurora Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:05 p.m. It is believed that Miller and the two others, who still are unknown to police, were the same subjects seen by the resident on Taylor who originally called 911. It should also be noted that while at the hospital, family members of the deceased became irate. One family member, a female, battered one of our Sergeants and was charged. Two other family members were observed by Hospital Security jumping on top of a squad car and shattering the windshield (See picture). Those two individuals, a juvenile male and male adult were also apprehended and charged. The squad car was towed from the hospital. There were no injuries to the officers or others. The woman who struck the suspect was driving with her 14 year old son. She was cooperative, showed no signs of impairment, and was not charged; nor are charges expected to be brought against her. She was treated at the scene by Paramedics for a panic attack. She did not require hospital transport. Her son was not injured. The Kane County Accident Reconstruction Team and the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force are working with the Aurora Police Department on the investigation. A statement from Chief Kristen Ziman in reference to last night's tragic crash: "Last night just before 8:00 p.m., APD responded to a report of suspects breaking into cars in the 800 block of Taylor Ave. When police arrived on the scene, they were attempting to gather the facts and a witness advised APD that the car burglars were running through the backyards. One of the suspects, the 18 year old man,ran into the street on Highland Ave., and into the path of a passing vehicle and was struck. Unfortunately, that young man passed away from his injuries. APD did not shoot anyone. APD wasn't pursuing anyone. APD did not strike the man with a squad car. Facts matter, friends. We are so sorry that a life was lost but I will not allow misinformation to be circulated. Please keep the family of the 18-year-old in your thoughts as well as the driver of the vehicle. This is a terrible tragedy.

2018-11-03 13:00:02

And don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors too. Enjoy the extra hour of sleep!

2018-11-03 06:51:58

Aurora Police are investigating a fatal crash that claimed the life of an 18-year-old man on the city’s West Side Friday night. At 7:53 p.m., Aurora Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Taylor Ave. for the report of a vehicle burglary in progress. A witness told police that 3 males were trying to break into vehicles in the area and the males were last seen running towards the 1000 block of N. Highland Ave. While officers began to search the yards for the offenders, a passing motorist alerted officers on scene that a male ran eastbound across Highland Ave. and was subsequently struck by a northbound vehicle. The male was taken to an Aurora hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The driver of the vehicle was treated by Aurora Fire Department Paramedics and released on the scene. The Kane County Accident Reconstruction Team and the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force are working with the Aurora Police Department on the investigation. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has any information is asked to call Aurora Police Traffic Investigators at (630) 256-5330 or Aurora Police Investigations Division at (630) 256-5500.

2018-11-02 22:00:00

Ahhhhh Memories from two years ago today....

2018-11-02 20:17:53

Traffic Advisory for Nov. 3-Please Share: A contractor working for the City of Aurora will be repairing a storm sewer on E. Downer Place in front of City Hall at 44 E. Downer, tomorrow, Saturday, November 3. Eastbound Downer will be closed during the repair between Stolp and Broadway Avenues. Thank you for your patience.

2018-11-02 17:04:13

UPDATED POST: Lake St./Rt. 31 is now open in both directions. Thanks for your patience. TRAFFIC ALERT- Please Share: Lake St./Rt. 31 is closed in both directions between Indian Trail and Sullivan Rd., while our Traffic Div. investigates a serious injury crash. We'll update as details become available. Please find alternate routes.

2018-11-02 17:00:00

Beware of all kinds of spooky stuff--- along with art, food and a lot of fun--- at tonight's First Fridays Celebration staged by Aurora Downtown. Please drive carefully!

2018-11-02 13:00:02

We just love these pictures of little Michael and his cousin Bella along with some of our Community Policing Officers at Georgetown Elementary's Trunk and Treat event last week.

2018-11-01 22:00:03

We're investigating three incidents of cell phones or smart watches being ripped off after citizens have tried to sell them online. We believe the offender in all three incidents is probably the same person. In all three incidents, the offender is described as a black female, 18 to 19 years old, 5'4" to 5'6", 130 to 140 pounds, and goes by the name of "Tavia" or "Taivina". The latest theft occurred around 11:12 a.m., Oct. 28 in the 1200 block of Monomoy St. and involved a 47 year old Naperville woman having her $1000 IPhone stolen after arranging a transaction on the Offer Up app. Around 3:45 p.m., Oct. 8, a 57 year old Chicago man had his smartwatch stolen in the 300 block of Avon by a suspect who matched the description of the one in the two other thefts. He had posted the device for sale on Facebook. The first theft occurred around 5:40 p.m., Oct. 7, and victimized a 21 year old Gurnee woman who also had her smartwatch stolen in the 200 block of S. Lincoln after posting it on Facebook. Again, the offender went by the name "Tavia". PLEASE remember--- if you conduct business over the internet, use the specially reserved parking spaces in the Aurora Police Parking Lot to sell or buy the items. If the person you are dealing with doesn't want to meet there, we'd bet there's a good reason for it.

2018-11-01 17:00:01

Do you have what it takes to start a fulfilling career as the first point of contact between first responders and people in need? We're taking applications for 911 Telecommunications Operators. Click on the link for all the info.

2018-11-01 13:00:02

Today marks the beginning of our third annual "No Shave November" in honor of our brother and friend Sgt. Don Corp, who passed away in March, 2016, after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. For a $50 donation, Aurora Police Officers will be allowed to grow their facial hair for the entire month. All of the money raised will be given to the Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. If you would like to donate to the cause, visit our Credit Union inside the Aurora Police Dept. or make an online donation directly at https://events.lustgarten.org/give/t177691/#!/donation/checkout . Check out how hairy things got during our first two events!

2018-10-31 22:00:02

We have secured multiple narcotics charges though the Kendall County State’s Attorney against a 36 year old man after our Special Operations Group executed a search warrant at his home on Oct. 25. Ray J. Flores of the first block of Durango Rd., Montgomery, has been charged with two counts each of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance; and single counts of manufacture and delivery of cannabis and unlawful possession of cannabis. The manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance charges are Class-X felonies which call for enhanced prison time upon conviction. The search warrant, which was executed at 5 p.m., yielded over 46 grams of cocaine, 55 hits of Ecstasy, 58 THC cartridges which are used for vaping, almost $4000 in cash and a 2007 Chevy Tahoe SUV. Flores is currently being held in the Kendall County Jail on $100,000 bail. The charges are not proof of guilt. Flores is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the burden of the State to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

2018-10-31 17:00:01

Some tips that could save your life via our colleagues at the Aurora -IL Fire Department via a column in today's The Beacon News courtesy of Denise Crosby.

2018-10-31 13:00:02

Happy Halloween! City's Official Trick or Treat Hours are 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

2018-10-31 10:52:13

UPDATED POST: This work has been halted and will be rescheduled. All lanes are open. Travel Advisory for Today, Oct. 31: Aurora's Water and Sewer Division will be repairing a catch basin at the corner of Eola and Ogden Ave starting around 9 a.m. which will necessitate the closing of the north bound outside lane. The anticipated time frame for the repair will be around 5 to 6 hours, Please use caution in the area.