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Operation targeting violent suspects leads to 116 arrests in Aurora

APD said 116 were arrested in an operation with the U.S. Marshals Service and Drug Enforcement Agency targeting dangerous offenders with active arrest warrants.

AURORA, Colo. — Aurora Police Department (APD) announced the results of an operation with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) targeting violent felons Wednesday afternoon.

APD said Operation Restore was led by the department over the past two weeks targeting dangerous offenders with active warrants, resulting in 116 arrests.

Authorities originally targeted 130 suspects and specifically focused on those wanted for violent crimes, sex-related crimes and known gang members with active warrants.

"These people were victimizing our children, they were taking our lives and taking our livelihoods," APD Chief Vanessa Wilson said.

Suspects were arrested on the following warrants, according to APD:

  • Two for murder
  • Five for attempted murder
  • 11 for sex crimes (including nine involving victims that were children)
  • 12 for aggravated robbery
  • 12 for felony domestic violence

According to DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Olesky, 24% of the suspects were arrested on drug-related charges, and more than half had previous drug-related charges on their criminals records. 

Olesky also said one suspect arrested is a major distributor of methamphetamine and counterfeit oxycodone pills, and is a member of an international drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing thousands of oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.

APD also reported seizing nine guns and recovering three stolen vehicles over the course of ten days and more than 8,000 personnel hours.

"Operation Restore was spearheaded by the Aurora Police Department and the many units within it, and its success can be directly attributed the tremendous support from the U.S. Marshal’s Service, DEA, [U.S. Attorney's Office] and the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office," APD said in a statement. "These partnerships, and this operation, is a testament to our unified commitment of making our communities safer."

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