Arvada Weekly Crime Update: July 28 - August 10

Aug 22

5 min read

Summary: What You Need to Know

This week's crime update covers July 28 - August 10. Several notable incidents occurred, including a multi-vehicle DUI crash, a business burglary, and weapons-related calls. These incidents highlight ongoing public safety concerns in Arvada.

Weapons and Public Safety

Two weapons incidents occurred this week. One involved a gun discharged during an argument on Everett Street. The other was a reported threat at Dairy Queen, which resulted in no charges after investigation. Additionally, a homeless man with an active warrant was arrested at the Olde Town Light Rail platform. He resisted arrest and struck an officer.

CORE Program Activity

The Community Outreach Resources Enforcement (CORE) team made limited resource offerings during this period. Only one substance abuse resource was offered, along with six One Small Step program referrals. No resources were reported as accepted. This raises questions about program engagement and effectiveness.

Moving Forward

Theft, harassment, and property crimes remain the most common incidents. Residents should consider what public safety priorities matter most to their community. The data suggests ongoing challenges with both property crime and homelessness-related issues that may require different approaches.

What solutions do you think the City should explore to make Arvada safer? Share your thoughts!

Significant Incidents

DUI Driver Arrested After Crashing Truck Into Multiple Parked Vehicles

On July 28, at about 2:25 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of W. 84th Way and W. 84th Circle. A crash alert was triggered for a white Toyota Tacoma, and the driver could not be contacted. As officers responded, additional callers reported hearing a crash and seeing a white truck leave the area. The Tacoma crashed and became disabled nearby. Two males fled the scene on foot. Officers discovered the Tacoma had struck five parked vehicles, totaling the Tacoma and one other, while damaging four more. Both suspects were located and detained. The driver was ultimately arrested and booked into the Jefferson County Jail on charges including DUI, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident. (AR25012916)

Brazen Business Burglary

On July 31, at about 11:27 p.m., an employee was closing a business near 6500 Wadsworth Blvd. He stepped outside for a break while wearing headphones and using his phone. When he returned, he found the cash register drawer on the floor and the safe forced open. Security video showed a single unknown male entering through a door, crouching to avoid detection, and quickly taking the contents of the safe and register before leaving. The investigation is ongoing. (AR25013233)

Speed Study: W 72nd Ave, Ward to Alkire

From July 9 to July 23, the Arvada Police Department Traffic Unit studied vehicle speeds on W 72nd Ave, between Ward Rd and Alkire St. This two-way street has divided and undivided segments, with a posted speed limit of 40 mph. The data collected did not indicate significant speed issues:

Total vehicles recorded: 142,956
Average speed: 37.0 mph
85th percentile speed: 42 mph

Warrant Arrest Leads to Struggle at Olde Town Light Rail

On August 8, at about 10:03 a.m., officers contacted a known homeless man with an active warrant. He had been previously banned from the Olde Town Entertainment District and was at the RTD Light Rail platform on Grandview Avenue. When officers informed him he was under arrest, he resisted and struck one officer in the leg. The man was safely taken into custody, treated at a hospital for an injury, and booked on his warrant along with new charges. No officers were injured. Investigators later learned he may have been involved in planning an assault on the officer. (AR25013598)

Gun Discharged During Early Morning Argument

On August 8, at about 5:44 a.m., officers were called to the 5300 block of Everett Street. A witness reported a gunshot during an argument between two men in a parking lot. One suspect fired a round before his firearm malfunctioned. The second man left in a silver Dodge. The suspect ran into his nearby apartment but was later contacted by officers. A search warrant recovered a handgun and matching ammunition hidden under a couch. No injuries have been reported. (AR25013580)

No Charges Filed in Dairy Queen Menacing Call

On August 10, at about 6:39 p.m., officers responded to a reported menacing at the Dairy Queen at 7580 W. 64th Avenue. A woman with her child and juvenile brother reported that a man threatened to shoot her during a dispute over parking. She believed he may have pointed a gun from inside his vehicle. Officers located both parties nearby and interviewed them. Both claimed the woman had initially threatened to shoot them. No party reported seeing a firearm, and no independent witnesses came forward. As a result, no criminal charges were substantiated. (AR25013812)

This event was captured on video and went viral on TikTok and Reddit, resulting in the female suspect being fired from her job. She then posted an apology video, claiming she was no longer associated with the male suspect and called for people to stop harassing individuals at her former workplace and residence.

Special Unit Activity

Community Outreach Resources Enforcement (CORE)

The CORE team focuses on issues in the community related to homelessness. They respond to calls involving homeless people, proactively offer resources, and conduct enforcement when other support methods are not effective.

CORE Team contact and enforcement data is partially available for this period:

Resources Offered

- 0 Mental health

- 1 Substance abuse

- 0 Housing

- 6 One Small Step info

- 0 Other

- 0 Navigator assistance

- 0 Employment

- 0 Vital document recovery

Resources Accepted

- 0

Enforcement Actions

- 16 Trespass

- 11 Verbal Warning

- 28 Citation

- 5 Arrest - New Charges

- 5 Jailed - Warrant

More than one enforcement action may be used per person

Arrest and Crime Data

Arrests

Total Arrests: 160

- 55 Taken into custody

- 105 Released on summons

Arrested persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Classification of charges may change any time after arrest. Arrest data may not be finalized at the time of publication

Crime Data

Total Crime Reports: 392
Crimes Most Reported

- 52 Theft (other than vehicle and shoplift)

- 27 Criminal Mischief

- 39 Harassment

- 23 Fraud

- 22 Assault

- 33 Shoplift

- 24 Drug Paraphernalia

- 9 Motor Vehicle Theft

- 14 Burglary

- 18 Protection Order Violation

Incidents under investigation may be re-classified as criminal or noncriminal after publication. Crime reports may contain more than one criminal charge. All figures are preliminary and are not meant to be final crime statistics

Traffic Data and Calls for Service

Traffic

Reported Crashes: 43

- 3 Injury Crash

- 0 Fatality Crashes

Traffic Stops: 457

- 291 Drivers Cited

Top Violations Cited:

74 Speeding 10-19 mph over limit
33 Plates expired 60+ days
37 No proof of insurance
29 Speeding 20-24 mph over limit
9 Operating unregistered vehicle
30 No seat belt

Calls for Service

Total Calls for Service: 4,195

- Top call types received and dispatched:

- 158 Homelessness Related Calls

- 137 Welfare Check

- 68 Citizen Assist

- 64 Disturbance

- 59 Traffic Complaint

- 59 Suspicious Incident

- 55 Unwanted Party

- 47 Theft

- 34 Domestic

- 27 Suspicious Person

- 28 Harassment

- 23 Noise Disturbance

Total calls for service include all dispatched and self-initiated activity by Department personnel. Calls for service include criminal and non-criminal activity and may not result in a written report