BY DAVE PARRO
The Aurora Police Department on Friday announced charges against 31 suspects in almost two dozen cold-case murders dating back to 1989. All of the slayings were allegedly carried out by the Latin Kings.
When the Cold Case Task Force was formed in 2004, police targeted 11 specific murders. Now they've doubled that total. For a department that has been criticized in the past for not solving murders, this is quite a coup.
Read the press release here, which includes a list of suspects arrested and the murders they allegedly committed. Take a look at all the accused killers in the Beacon photo gallery and read the full story here.
Police brass are calling this one of the biggest days in the history of the department because of its impact on Aurora's gangs. That seems about right. Even the FBI is calling the scope of this investigation "unprecedented."
These charges are no doubt also a result of the series of gang investigations and sweeps the police have done in recent years. This may be the strongest message sent yet to Aurora gangbangers that their crimes won't go unpunished.
Thats great these cases are getting solved! But what about the cases that dont involve gang memebers? What is being done to solve these murders I have a sister in law who was strangled when she was 20 yrs old What have you done for? Is there a reason the gangbangers are getting all of your attention!
Bill Powell is obviously committed to a better Aurora. I commend him for his leadership. A superb job!! I love Aurora! Unfortunately we have the gang problems that EVERY big city has, but I would venture to guess that if you subtracted that from the crime equation in Aurora, our city might be SAFER than most big cities. And it looks like Mr. Powell is clamping down, and tightening that vice, squeezing the oxygen out of, and extinguishing these local terrorists. Feel proud, Mr. Powell. You rock!! And thanks for loving Aurora as much as I do!!
Gangbangers beware--Bill Powell has ZERO tolerance for YOU!
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR RELENTLESS WORK IN SOLVING THESE CASES. THE CASE INVOLVING WILLIAM ARCE, WHO WAS SHOT ON JUNE 29, 1989 IN HIS BASEMENT ON THE 700 BLOCK OF LIBERTY ST. AURORA, IL WAS OF GREAT PLEASURE TO ME, HE IS MY LITTLE BROTHER. THANKS AGAIN TO THE AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THIS OPERATION. THANKS TO YOU WE HAVE A BETTER AURORA
great job!! but what about Jose Ramos. shot while walking in the back door of his moms house after coming home from working th'd shift. the shooting happen in the morning. G.T is the only one..
Down with the kings! they thought they could get away murder.
This is Jeremy Alexander Mares well after 17 years they found my fathers killer he died when i was 3 yrs old i am no 20 and finally the guy who took my father from is finally caught the guy who murdered him is Jimmy Torres. Of course from what i see so far I dont see anything bout my father im not really to happy bout this my fathers murdered was unsolved and Jimmy didnt barely serve anytime now im 20 living out of TUlsa,OK and have to find this out wow thank u
It's been exactly 18 years today 6/30/07 that our beloved Willie was taken from us. Today indeed is a celebration of his life!! We will no longer mourn his passing but embrace the justice that follows.
On behalf of William (Willie) Arce entire family we'd like to Thank Bill Powell for caring, and taking the time to listen to our personnel story. Also to the entire Aurora Police Department, and Cold Case Task Unit!! Our prayers are with you all and also with the families of the victims that received such joyous news! The entire Aurora Police Department I'm sure have made many personal sacrifices and dedicated so much time and effort to all these cases and to the ones that follow. And for that we're forever grateful!!
To all the members of the Task Force who were asked to solve 11 cold case murders that came through for the community by solving twice that. THANK YOU. 18 years ago, my cousin, William Arce was shot at the age of 20. He has been missed each and every day since then. Having his case solved has brought the closure we needed as a family and I am can't thank each and every person who spent every minute of their days to bring us that. I'm also very happy for all other families who now have their peace and to families who are suffering because their loved ones cases have not been solved I'd like to give them hope and pray with them that they get their closure. A better Aurora starts today!!!
Thank you for a some closer! I grew up in Aurora. My 17 yr. old cousin Demetrious Washington was killed there and since then our whole family has relocated. I have always wanted to move back but residents steadily complain of the gang violence. I am delighted that one day our family may feel secure about raising our young black boys and young men in Aurora again. Thanks for doing SOMETHING!!
To the people that believe justice has been served.. My husband Jorge Alanis is innocent! They police have harrassed him for years and now they are paying a snitch to say my husband did something he did not do! I am confident to say my husband will be proven innocent! And to spades.. You make me laugh cause if you were "true" you would not post that!
Blacks, hispanics, whites, look what an uprise the races are in. Not to mention the gangs. "SPADES" posting comments like that just goes to show you the cycle will not end. But as Chief Powell stated, they are not done, your doorbell may be the next one. And APD don't be surprised in the violent attitudes and behavior you have uproared. Let us see if the concerned and grateftul citizens will be thanking you then.
my friend sharon paulette was on of the people killid she had a full life ahead of her sad part she was close to becoming a probation office the sad part is she wont see her niece or nephew and what wonderful kids they have turned out to be never mind the down with the kigs comment down with violence period we all have been waiting a long time for this and i hope justice gets servered i will be there for every single court date i just remember getting that phonecall and how me and everyone around us that knew her felt and when the judge pass his sentence i hope he fill that pain aswell sharon was a wonderful person caring loving ahe will be missed thanx to aurora for finding the person responabe for these sinceless killing....
I grew up in Aurora and went to East High, have since moved out of state. I actually went to school with most of these defendents and victims. Sad - very sad to read what has become of most of my former classmates. In high school - the gang banging was pretty bad and you pretty much knew what would become of most of these guys. One still holds out and hopes for the best though. I was sitting in my living room and heard gun shots - Rolondo Cortez aka Orko was shot across the street. I knew then it was time to move out of Aurora.
God bless
THANK YOU A.P.D. WILLIAM ARCE WE NEVER FORGOT YOU.ALWAYS IN OUR PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS. MAY U REST IN PEACE. ITS OVER....
Willie Arce to take your life was not a JOKE. These murders have been laughing for almost 20 years and taking other lives as well. Now GOD will give you all your justice and closure as well as peace to the many families whom have been carrying this pain for so long. Judgement Day is not before a Judge but befoe GOD.....
HEY WILLIE, IT'S OVER, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE LITTLE BROTHER, I KNOW YOU KNOW, THAT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, I WISH YOU COULD BE HERE WITH ME, I HAVE 3 BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN AND A VERY LOVING WIFE. YOU NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO MET THEM. BUT, MAYBE ONE DAY YOU WILL. I WILL FOREVER MISS AND LOVE YOU, YOU ARE MY BROTHER, THE ONE WHO GIVES ME THE STRENGTH TO KEEP MOVING ON. I LOVE YOU WILLIE, I WISH I COULD SAY IT TO YOUR FACE, BUT I CANT. MAY YOU REST WITH THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN. I LOVE YOU LITTLE BROTHER.
To Concernfor to the next generation. Thanks for your kind words which touched our hearts. Our family truly appreciates the support. And to my cuz Jr. may God bless you and god bless all of our children growing up in this world full of violence. Love you cuz.
I am so glad that the men in the resent days for the killings have been brought in. But what about the three men that took the life of my husband Juan Michael Cortez back in 1996. He wasn't just taken from me he was also taken from his parents, his brothers & sister, his nieces and nephew and most of all his daughter Angelica. Angelica was only 2yrs old when this happened. She is now 13yrs old. What about that? If anyone has any information about where the men are that took Juan Cortez from his family and friends i plead please please come forward with any information. Cause just like the other family that have found closure we too would like to have closure. WE MISS AND LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH JUAN MICHAEL CORTEZ.
Mrs Alanis, You say that your husband is innocent and that the police are paying a snitch to say that he is guilty of murder. Who did the police pay? How much did they pay him? Why did this person agree to do this? I think you may be talking out of turn. If you have the information, let us know.
TO LKI, I PRAISE YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM. I WISH A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE IN AURORA THOUGHT LIKE YOU. YOUR CORRECT IN SAYING, IF YOU HAVE SOME INFORMATION, CALL COLD CASE, AND STOP SHOOTING OFF AT THE MOUTH ABOUT SOMETHING YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.
i grew up in Aurora also and now live in Los Angeles,CA all I can is be careful how you get your information- and understand to the fullest what is going on here.( On both sides ) the police, the victims and the familes of whose loved got arrested in this hanging spree! you see its Black & Brown -
How do all of these victims family know without a doubt that they have the Killers?? this is a witch hunt! Blacks & Browns stay united and dont let the Media get you out of control. This is what they DO!
HI TIO, I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH! MY SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO THE ARCE FAMILY FOR THE LOSS OF THERE LOVED ONE BUT THEY ARNT THE ONLY ONES AT A LOSS. NOT TO WORRIE THOUGH TIO WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT UP TO GOD BECAUSE IN THE END NO ONES OPINION MATTERS BUT HIS. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALWAYS.. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP Y QUE DIOS TE BENDIGA SIEMPRE
WOW MRS.ALANIS HOW DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE YOUR HUSBAND DID NOT DO THAT MURDER. DID YOU EVEN KNOW HIM WHEN THIS MURDER WAS DONE. HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT HE WANTS TO TELL YOU AND YOU WILL BELIEVE
EVERYTHING HE SAYS. BUT IN REALITY THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT KNOWS IF HE DID IT OR NOT IS GOD AND YOUR HUSBAND..BELIEVE ME JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED. WHAT EVIL THINGS PEOPLE DO IN THIS WORLD ALWAYS COMES BACK AND BITES THEM IN THE REAR. PAYBACK COMES BACK TO THEM 7 TIMES AS WORSE. I LIVED IN AURORA AND KNEW MOST OF THESE LATIN KINGS THAT WERE ARRESTED AND THEY DID NOT LIVE INNOCENT LIVES. SO JUST THINK ABOUT THAT. A GANG LIVE IS NOT ALL MADE OF ROSES.