AURORA, Colo. — A man was shot and killed after confronting two people who were stealing scooters from his backyard early Wednesday morning, the Aurora Police Department said.
The shooting happened around 4:30 a.m. on Paris Street near the intersection with Del Mar Circle. Police said their investigation found a man, later identified as 49-year-old Miguel Angel Saucedo Araujo, and his son woke up to the sound of two people stealing scooters that were parked in the backyard of their house. Saucedo Araujo and his son confronted the people, who drove away on the stolen scooters, police said.
Saucedo Araujo and his son chased the scooter thieves in their pickup. During the chase, someone fired shots at the pickup, police said.
“They decided, hey, this is getting really dangerous…we’re going to go home, notify the police,” said Aurora Police Agent Matthew Longshore.
When Saucedo Araujo and his son returned home, somebody drove by the front of their house and fired several rounds into the home, police said. One bullet hit Saucedo Araujo, killing him.
Police said they are looking at multiple scenes connected to the investigation, including yards in the neighborhood where the scooters were recovered.
Police said they have not yet identified any suspects, but they do not believe there is a threat to the public.
This is the third story 9NEWS has reported in Aurora this year, where someone chasing after a thief ended with violence, the second time the victim of the threat is the victim of the violence.
Longshore said you never know what a thief is willing to do if you chase them.
“You can be a good witness, you can also relay good information to the police, your life though isn’t worth your property," he said. "Understanding that we know you work hard for your property. We know it’s not something you want someone just to take. But you have to weigh and balance the property versus life thing in your head.”
“You don’t know what these people are willing to do and we saw this yesterday. These people were willing to fire shots and take someone’s life over a moped and that is scary.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 or visit metrodenvercrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers works by assigning a code to people who anonymously submit a tip. Information is shared with law enforcement, and Crime Stoppers is notified at the conclusion of the investigation.
From there, an awards committee reviews the information provided and, if the information leads to an arrest, the tipster will be notified. Rewards can be collected using the code numbers received when the tip was originally submitted.
> More information about Metro Denver Crime Stoppers can be found here.
> Additional Crime Stoppers bulletins can be found here.
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