Amidst a concerning spike in auto thefts, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has been rigorously working to apprehend those involved in a recent crime spree. In July alone, the county was hit with 33 auto theft reports. A series of investigations including search warrants and relentless traffic stops have culminated in the arrests of 11 individuals and the recovery of 17 stolen vehicles, according to Douglas County Sheriff's Office. In one notable instance, a suspect caught on surveillance camera was armed with a handgun while attempting to break into several cars.
This crackdown also unveiled a distinct case where a stolen vehicle from Douglas County was traced to an armed carjacking incident in another city, where the assailant had fired shots at the victim. The local law enforcement's dedication to curb this wave of crime has led to not only arrests but also the procurement of two stolen weapons. The deputies, with the assistance of the Aurora Police Department’s SWAT team, managed to safely execute two search warrants within that jurisdiction. Sheriff Weekly has been quick to give credit to his team's efforts, stating to the local media outlets, "My deputies have worked incredibly hard over the past several months to keep our community safe," as per Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Weekly also took the moment to remind the community about their crucial role in preventing these 'crimes of opportunity'. "We need the community’s help to prevent crimes of opportunity. Lock your cars and your homes," he urged. "Some of these thieves are armed and dangerous. Do not confront them. Call 911. The last thing we want is for someone to get hurt," Sheriff Weekly said, as detailed by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
The names of the arrested suspects have been released, including Jorge Gutierrez-Valdez, Axel Cardenas, and Yilbert Maldonaldo. Among these, Gutierrez-Valdez faces vehicular theft charges, while Cardenas and Maldonaldo, both identified as Venezuelan nationals, confront burglary and other related charges. Others like Lana Tamara Fernandez and Wister Antonio Diaz-Caballero from Denver and Florida respectively, face various charges from motor vehicle theft to possession of drug paraphernalia. These cases continue to be investigated for any underlying connections to a broader spectrum of organized crime. While the suspects are currently presumed innocent until proven guilty, the message remains unambiguous: The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office plans to continue working tirelessly to combat these crimes and bolster community safety. The residents are encouraged to stay alert and report any suspicious activities without delay.
