Aurora, Colo. – Two men being held at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Aurora managed to escape during a power outage late Tuesday night, sparking confusion and raising questions about the facility’s response and coordination with local law enforcement.
The escapees, identified as Joel Jose Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 32, and Vido Romero Gueilond-Jose, 24, were discovered missing on Wednesday morning after the power outage, which occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The facility’s security systems were disrupted, leaving one of the exit doors unlocked, which authorities believe allowed the detainees to flee. However, the timeline of events surrounding their escape has raised concerns over the delayed notification to the Aurora Police Department (APD).
According to the Aurora Police Department’s report, ICE officials did not alert local authorities about the escape until 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, nearly five hours after the incident occurred. The report revealed that an initial call from ICE at 2:30 a.m. lacked critical information, prompting an APD watch commander to call ICE back for clarification. During this call, it was confirmed that the escape had happened hours earlier, far beyond the 15-minute window required for a “hot” escape report, as outlined in APD guidelines.
In a statement, the Aurora Police Department expressed frustration over the delay, noting that the late notification hindered their ability to respond promptly. “We received late notification about the incident and upon response learned the event occurred several hours prior,” said an APD spokesperson. While the department emphasized that it does not enforce federal immigration laws, it reaffirmed its willingness to assist with public safety emergencies in collaboration with federal partners.
Aurora police were informed that Gonzalez-Gonzalez and Gueilond-Jose were last accounted for during a facility-wide headcount at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, raising additional concerns about the timing of their escape. Camera footage that might have clarified the situation was unavailable due to the power outage at the time of the incident, although officials at the ICE facility expressed hope that it would be retrieved later.
The escapees’ backgrounds add another layer of complexity to the case. Gonzalez-Gonzalez, a Mexican national, was arrested by ICE in February 2023 after being taken into custody at the Adams County Jail. He had entered the United States illegally in February 2013. Gueilond-Jose, originally from Venezuela, had been arrested on theft and resisting arrest charges by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in February 2023. He had entered the country illegally in December 2023 and was facing imminent deportation.
In response to the incident, Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain issued a statement Thursday, expressing the department’s readiness to assist ICE and other federal authorities in locating the escapees. “In order for us to effectively respond to and assist our federal partners with calls for service, we need to receive timely and accurate information. That unfortunately did not happen, as demonstrated by the facts of this incident,” Chamberlain said. He added that while there is no indication the men have ties to Aurora, the department is actively investigating whether the escapees are in the area.
ICE also confirmed that it had notified additional state and federal law enforcement agencies about the escape and was working with local authorities to locate the men. As of Thursday, Gonzalez-Gonzalez and Gueilond-Jose remained at large, with authorities warning that they should be considered dangerous.
Both men are described as having distinct physical characteristics: Gonzalez-Gonzalez is 5-foot-7, weighs 165 pounds, and has tattoos on both arms. Gueilond-Jose stands 6 feet tall, weighs 185 pounds, and has short black hair. Authorities are asking the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings or information about their whereabouts.
The escape has raised serious concerns over the management of the Aurora ICE facility and its ability to effectively secure detainees. With the delay in response and ongoing investigation, local and federal authorities are working together to track down the escapees and ensure public safety.
