Aurora police say a public tip led them to arrest a 21-year-old man this week in connection with a violent sexual assault along the High Line Canal Trail near Expo Park, ending an investigation that began with a predawn attack last spring. The suspect was taken into custody Tuesday night and is being held at the Arapahoe County Jail while he awaits his first court appearance, according to officials.
According to Sentinel Colorado, detectives arrested 21-year-old Jack Khaidav on Tuesday night. He faces a charge of sexual assault and is being held without bond. In a statement to Sentinel Colorado, Lt. Seth Robertson of the department’s Special Victims Section credited private security video and a tip to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers, saying, "Technology and community collaboration made the difference in this case." Investigations Bureau Commander Marc Paolino added that cases like this demand patience and precision from investigators.
The investigation began around 6:30 a.m. on May 8, when a woman walking the High Line Canal Trail near Expo Park told officers she had been attacked from behind, fought off her attacker, and warned other women nearby, as reported by Denver7. In the weeks that followed, police circulated images and descriptions of a suspect as they worked to develop leads.
How Investigators Say They Made the ID
Investigators told Sentinel Colorado they canvassed the area and located private security camera footage that showed the suspect. Detectives then released still frames from that video during a public appeal. A later tip to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers identified Khaidav as a possible match to the person seen in the footage, officials said, which led to Tuesday’s arrest.
What Happens Next
Khaidav faces a charge of sexual assault and will be processed through the Arapahoe County courts. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867, per Denver7.
