Regional law enforcement network arrests 18 members of criminal group – Denver Gazette

Regional law enforcement network arrests 18 members of criminal group  Denver Gazette

A regional criminal investigation group arrested 18 people suspected of involvement in a local crime organization. The Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network, which includes investigators from various metro Denver jurisdictions, has targeted 20 members of the criminal organization over the last 13 months, according to a news release from the Aurora Police Department. RAVEN is a regional task force made up of law enforcement partners from Aurora, Denver, Arvada, Thornton and Lakewood as well as Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas and Jefferson counties. It also includes district attorneys’ offices, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Colorado Department of Corrections and other organizations. The criminal group is responsible for more than 20 criminal episodes in 13 jurisdictions, including Aurora, Bennett, Commerce City, Denver, Frederick, Firestone, Greeley, Parker and Adams, Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas and Weld counties, according to the release.

Of the 18 arrested suspects, 14 are adults and four are minors, police said. Between them, there are a total of 185 criminal charges, including 166 felonies and 19 misdemeanors. They are all in custody and charged in Denver District Court. They were arrested during two operations on Sept. 15 and Oct. 7. APD Deputy Chief Mark Hildebrand said the arrests demonstrate the importance of law enforcement collaboration between jurisdictions. “These results reflect the commitment of our partner agencies to protecting our communities and ensuring