4 suspects arrested, accused of organized crime across Denver area

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Three 18-year-olds and a 17-year-old were arrested in connection to an organized crime enterprise following an extensive investigation, according to Aurora police.

On Friday, the Aurora Police Department’s Crime Gun Intelligence Unit announced the arrests of:

• Lennon Melgares, 18, of Edgewater
• Xavier Chavez, 18, of Aurora
• Jayden Velarde, 18, of Morrison
• A 17-year-old from Lakewood

The 17-year-old will not be identified because he is a minor.

Police said Chavez was arrested on Sept. 5 by the Aurora SWAT Team, and Melgares, Velarde and the Lakewood teenager were arrested on Sept. 6 in Jefferson County.

Videos show teen suspects using weapons

The alleged gang members can be seen on videos shared by the Aurora Police Department. The group in the videos can be seen firing weapons while standing on a street. Another clip shows shots being fired from a moving vehicle.

Aurora Police say the teenagers seen in the videos had connections with various violent crimes.

The four suspects face charges filed under the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act. Some of those charges include:

• Attempted first-degree murder
• Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder
• Aggravated intimidation of a victim or witness
• Felony menacing

According to Aurora police, the charges stem from April when investigators were reviewing unsolved shooting cases. Investigators connected multiple shootings in Aurora to other unsolved cases in Wheat Ridge and Lakewood.

Through the investigation, detectives said the four suspects were allegedly involved in activities that met Colorado’s definition of an organized criminal enterprise following weapon offenses through the Denver metro area.

Their crime sprees, police say, were becoming more dangerous.

Police say three of the four people in the car were identified as having warrants out for their arrest.

“All four of them were working in concert together to perpetuate violence over and over again,” APD Investigation Division Chief Mark Hildebrand said.

In court records acquired by FOX31, investigators identified the teens as being members of a violent street gang. Aurora police confirmed the arrests are unrelated to the Tren de Aragua gang.

Extensive investigation led to arrests

The investigation involved multiple law enforcement officers in multiple jurisdictions.

“Criminals don’t just isolate themselves into one jurisdiction, they’re gonna be all over the Denver area,” says law enforcement expert James Allbee with Metro Intelligence agency.

Body cam video also shows an arrest taking place after Aurora police focused on finding the suspects with the department’s relatively new Crime Gun Intelligence Unit.

“So, when we recover that evidence, we are able to examine it and see if that firearm is being used in multiple events,” Hildebrand said.

Investigators say shell casings have markings that are like fingerprints, which can lead them to weapons and suspects.

Aurora police say the unit can get results back on shell casings within 24 hours. Hildebrand says the department has identified 400 shell casing linked to other shootings so far this year.

FOX31 was able to confirm at least two of the teenage suspects remain behind bars.

Aurora police said the investigations are ongoing. Anyone who has information on the suspects or the crimes is asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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