2015 Timely Warning Archive

In compliance with the “Timely Notice” provisions of the Federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1998, the Auraria Higher Education Center located in Downtown Denver issued the following notices of crimes that occurred on the Auraria Campus.

Monday, December 14, 2015 – 11:25 AM
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AT AURARIA PARKWAY AND 9TH STREET
 
REPORTED OFFENSE: Auraria Campus Police are investigating an aggravated assault that occurred near the campus at approximately the intersection of 9th Street and Auraria Parkway.  The initial investigation indicates that this appears to be related to a road rage incident. An unknown suspect approached the victim from behind and struck them on the head. 
 
SUSPECT: The suspect at large is believed to have been driving a white tow truck, but fled the scene. The victim has been unable to provide a further description at this time.  Auraria Campus Police is continuing to investigate in partnership with the Denver Police Department.
 

Wednesday, December 2, 2015 – Approximately 8:00 PM
STRONG-ARM ROBBERY AT 7TH AND WALNUT

REPORTED OFFENSE: Auraria Campus Police are investigating a strong-arm robbery that occurred on campus near the intersection of 7th Street and Walnut Street.  Two suspects approached the victim, who was walking with a group of friends, and proceeded to push the victim to the ground and attempt to steal their backpack.  The victim was not injured during the course of the robbery.  The suspects fled on foot, southbound on 7th Street, then split up, with one suspect running west, and the other running southwest.  The victim and their friends chased the suspects while contacting police.  One suspect was contacted near the Auraria West light rail station and is in custody; the other suspect is at large.

SUSPECT: The suspect at large is described as a Hispanic male, 6’ tall, 230 pounds. He has short black hair and a thin mustache. He was wearing a black or dark blue hoodie sweatshirt, blue jeans, and black shoes.  In the chase, the suspect lost one of their shoes.  

Wednesday, September 9, 2015 – Approximately 7:10 AM
ROBBERY AT COLFAX ANDKALAMATH
 
REPORTED OFFENSE: Auraria Campus Police are investigating a report of an robbery that occurred adjacent to campus near the NW corner of Colfax and Kalamath.  Two suspects approached the victim, asked for a cigarette, and then one suspect proceeded to pull a knife out, demanding that the victim turn over their money.  The victim was not injured during the course of the robbery.  The suspects fled southbound on Kalamath toward 13th Street.
 
SUSPECTS: Suspect 1 (with the knife) is described as a white male, 5’6”, average build, bald, brown short facial hair, green eyes, with a long strait nose.  He was wearing a gray hoodie, grey and black backpack, and had a tattoo on the top of his right hand with an “N” and a “C” or “O”. 

Suspect 2 is described as a Native American male, heavy set, 5’6”, black hair and beard, wearing a black t-shirt that was too small and showed a hairy stomach area, and blue jeans that were too long and went underneath his heal. 

UPDATE to 8/25/15 Timely Warning—Arrest Made
Posted September 1st, 2015
**UPDATE**
After a thorough investigation in partnership with the Denver Police Department, a suspect was taken in to custody in the stalking incident from Tuesday, August 25th.  There is no ongoing threat to the Auraria Campus community.  Any inquiries regarding the status of the suspect should be directed to the Denver Police Department and Denver District Attorney’s Office.
 

Tuesday, August 25, 2015 – Approximately 2:00 PM
STALKING INCIDENT / ARTS BUILDING & AURARIA WEST LIGHT RAIL
 
REPORTED OFFENSE:  Auraria Campus Police are investigating a report of an incident that occurred in the Arts Building near the first floor women’s restroom.  The suspect followed the victim and her friend from the Tivoli to the Arts Building. The victim and her friend attempted to evade the suspect by entering the women’s restroom on the first floor.  The suspect physically grabbed the victim before she entered the rest room and attempted to kiss her.  She was able to break away and entered the rest room.  When they exited the restroom, the suspect was gone. 

The victim reports that she believes this suspect may have followed her on two separate occasions last week, without making contact.  Both instances were near the Auraria West light rail station at approximately 12:30pm, on August 17th and 18th.  Those incidents were not reported to law enforcement until now. 
 
SUSPECT: The suspect is described as a white male, 6’1" tall, 160-170 pounds with a slim build, medium-short blonde hair, slight facial hair, in his mid-20’s, and wearing a blue shirt. 
 

Saturday, August 15, 2015 – Approximately 7:45 PM
STRONG ARM ROBBERY AT 5TH STREET AND OLD COLFAX

REPORTED OFFENSE: Auraria Campus Police and Denver Police are investigating a report of a strong arm robbery that occurred near 5th Street and Old Colfax (close to the Regency Athletic Complex).  The suspect and victim arranged to meet up to conduct a sale of a computer.  The suspect ended up taking the computer from the victim as part of a strong arm robbery.  While the crime occurred at approximately 7:45 PM, it was only recently reported.

SUSPECT: The suspect is described as a white male with short light brown hair, in his 20s, wearing a white t-shirt and baseball cap, with a stocky build. He was driving a white four-door older Pontiac. 

Wednesday, May 18, 2015
UPDATE: SUSPECT IN CUSTODY FOR MAY 9th ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT 
The Auraria Campus Police Department has learned that James Holmes, age 54, has been arrested for the attempted sexual assault that occurred in West Classroom on the Auraria Campus on May 9th. He is being held for investigation of first-degree assault and sexual assault. Formal charges are pending. Holmes is also being investigated in connection with the fondling incident that occurred on April 15th, 2015 in Central Classroom. We encourage the Auraria Campus community to always be aware and report suspicious activity. 

Saturday, May 14, 2015
UPDATE: SUSPECT INFORMATION FOR MAY 9TH ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT
A sketch has been released by the Denver Police Department in an effort to locate the suspect wanted in the attempted sex assault that occurred on Saturday, May 9th in West Classroom on the Auraria Campus.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 40s with a thin build and patchy facial hair. The suspect has noticeable red discoloration on the inside of his lips, and may frequent the Auraria Campus. He was wearing a beanie hat at the time of the attempted assault.

If you have any information related to this incident or the suspect, please contact the Denver Police Department at 720-913-7867 or the Auraria Campus Police Department at 303-556-5000. Please reference case #2015-255030.

View the Crime Alert flyer »
 

Saturday, May 9, 2015
ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT AT WEST CLASSROOM (1050 10th Street Mall)

REPORTED OFFENSE: Auraria Campus Police are investigating an attempted sexual assault that occurred at approximately 2:05 PM on the second floor the West Classroom building. The victim reports that the suspect grabbed the victim and pushed them to the floor, and attempted to rape them.  The victim fought back and was able to get away.  Officers are currently searching for the suspect.

SUSPECT: The suspect is described as a black male, with a black jacket and black pants, beard, and possibly a black beanie, with a thin build, in his 40s. Auraria Police and Denver Police are working to locate the suspect.

Monday, April 20, 2015 – Approximately 6:45 p.m.
BURGLARY AT 1201 LARIMER STREET (QDOBA, STUDENT COMMONS BUILDING)

REPORTED OFFENSE: Auraria Campus Police are investigating an incident that occurred at Qdoba at the Student Commons Building. The suspect jumped over the counter at Qdoba and grabbed a bowl. When the suspect saw the Qdoba cashier, he jumped back over the counter and exited the building.

SUSPECT: The suspect is described as a white male with blonde hair in his mid-20s, 5’6”, and 130 lbs. He was wearing a red baseball cap, plaid shorts (navy blue/white), and a black hoodie. 

April 15, 2015  – Reported to have occurred near 1pm on April 14th
SEX OFFENSE (FONDLING) AT 1055 10TH STREET (CENTRAL CLASSROOM) 

REPORTED OFFENSE: Auraria Campus Police are investigating a fondling incident that occurred in a classroom in the Central Classroom building.  The victim was approached by the suspect in a hallway, asked for assistance in studying, and entered a classroom with the suspect.  The suspect then fondled the victim.

SUSPECT: The suspect is described as a black male, late 40’s, 5-11, with brown eyes, short curly hair, and a full gray beard and mustache, wearing a gray t-shirt and army green pants.  

NOTE: The reporting of this incident was delayed, which led to additional delays in issuing this Timely Warning. Campus Police are continuing to survey the area for suspects matching the description.

January 13, 2015 – Reported to have occurred near noon
STRONG ARM ROBBERY AT 900 AURARIA PARKWAY (TIVOLI STUDENT UNION, AURARIA CAMPUS BOOKSTORE)

REPORTED OFFENSE: Auraria Campus Police are investigating a shoplifting incident from the Auraria Campus Bookstore (900 Auraria Parkway) that resulted in physical force being used, escalating the crime to a strong arm robbery. The suspect is known to police, who are currently attempting to locate the suspect at their residence of record in partnership with the Denver Police Department. The suspect was seen fleeing the campus, ACPD does not believe an ongoing threat exists to the campus.

SUSPECT: The suspect is described as a black male, late 20’s, 5-11, 185 pounds, wearing a blue hoodie and blue pants. He was last seen fleeing off campus towards Auraria Parkway.

REPORT INFORMATION ABOUT INCIDENTS

If you or someone you know has any information that might be helpful in this investigation, please contact the Auraria Campus Police Department.

•  Call: 303-556-5000
•  Text-a-Tip: 720-593-TIPS (8477) 
•  Visit in person: 1201 5th Street, Administration Building, Room 110

SAFETY TIPS

• Crime survivors are not responsible for their victimization; perpetrators are accountable for their crimes and the outcomes of their actions. The following safety information may help reduce the possibility of becoming a victim of a crime.
• Trust your instincts: If you suspect something is wrong, or if a situation seems dangerous, you’re probably right. Immediately call the Auraria Campus Police Department from any campus phone by dialing 911 or from a cell phone by dialing 303-556-5000. You may also “Text-a-Tip” to the Auraria Campus Police Department at 720-593-TIPS (8477).
• Blue light emergency telephones: Be aware of the blue light emergency telephones in parking lots and walkways throughout campus. Use these telephones to be immediately connected with the Auraria Campus Police Department.
• Bystanders: Be aware of your surroundings. If you see a person in distress, seek immediate help from the Auraria Campus Police Department.
• Program your phone: Store the Auraria Campus Police Department phone number and text-a-tip line in your “favorites” on your cell phone to have the numbers at your fingertips in the event of an emergency. Dispatch: 303-556-5000, Text-a-Tip: 720-593-TIPS (8477)

More safety tips from the Auraria Campus Police Department: www.ahec.edu/safetytips

ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES

•  Phoenix Center at Auraria (PCA): Free and confidential assistance to survivors of interpersonal violence.
    24/7 Helpline: 303-556-CALL (2255)
    www.thepca.org
 
•  Health Center at Auraria – Victim Assistance Program: Support and resources for survivors of interpersonal violence.
    303-352-HELP (4357), After-hours: 303-352-4455
    www.healthcenter1.com
 
•  NightRider Service: A safe evening shuttle service to and from campus buildings and parking lots.
    Monday–Thursday, dusk–10 pm: 303-556-2001
    After 10 pm: 303-556-5000
 
OFF-CAMPUS RESOURCES
•  Victim Assistance Unit (DPD): Support, info, and referrals for victims of crime, witnesses, and/or their families.
    720-913-6035
 
•  The Blue Bench (formerly RAAP): A sexual assault hotline and resources for the metropolitan Denver area.
    303-322-7273
    www.thebluebench.org