Larry Barnes, a 55-year-old Aurora resident, wasn't just any car thief—police call him a "prolific" one with a criminal record that reads like a laundry list of mayhem: drug distribution, assault on a peace officer, burglary, and more.
The nightmare began when Barnes snatched a vehicle with someone inside. That's when a routine patrol turned into a high-stakes chase, and the real horror spilled out from the stolen car.
When officers finally stopped him, they uncovered more than 30 grams of methamphetamine and crack cocaine—enough to fuel a devastating wave of addiction and violence. The drugs were just the beginning.
Barnes now faces a barrage of charges: kidnapping, motor vehicle theft, possession with intent to distribute, driving under the influence, and felony eluding. As if that weren't enough, police discovered he was already wanted on an outstanding warrant.
How did they catch this one-man crime spree before it escalated further? Aurora police credit a lethal combination of proactive patrol work and real-time technology—tools that turned a potential tragedy into a takedown.
The message from the department is blunt and unapologetic: "Safer Aurora streets, no matter the hour. That’s how we do." And this time, the streets are undeniably safer because of it.
