At about 12:15 a.m. on October 28, as we've reported, cops were dispatched to a home on the 1600 block of Hanover Street.
There, officers believe, a man removed a screen and opened an unlocked window of a bedroom occupied by an eight-year-old girl. He's then thought to have reached inside, grabbed the girl and pulled her into the alley behind the structure.At that point, the girl screamed, alerting her father. He's said to have run out of the residence just as his daughter was sprinting back to the house -- and in the alley, he saw a man drive away in what was originally described as a silver or gray BMW, but is now believed to be a Mercedes pictured on Snorsky's Facebook page:
Aurora police subsequently held a news conference to announce a $10,000 reward in the case -- the largest ever offered by that department. Then, in succeeding days, that dollar amount was doubled to $20,000. Turns out, though, that Snorsky was already in custody for a parole hold based on what 7News describes as a false report on a pawn broker.Snorsky's Facebook page is filled with beefcake images of himself, including this one....
...and this one.... ...and this one: In addition, there are plenty of shots featuring his artwork, including several by Sampson Leung Photography of an event at Casselman's called "Satan's Castle" late last year. Here's one screen capture.... ...and another one: There's even a link to a Westword slide show of a zombie-crawl party, with Snorsky seen in a eerie image by photographer Eric Gruneisen: The zombie photo was shared on October 26 -- the last one placed by Snorsky prior to his arrest. Since then, however, quite a few posts have popped up, many from friends insisting that he couldn't have committed the crimes of which he's been accused. Continue for more about the arrest of John Snorsky, including more photos and a video. Despite information about Snorsky's past criminal history, including theft, burglary and escape, many of his Facebook friends are standing by him. Here's a sampling:I think that we should all support and show our love for this wonderful man. I believe in you man and know that they have the wrong person. I've seen people just tear this man apart piece by piece. It's not fair to judge someone who has not been found guilty. I have not seen a single shred of evidence that would convict him of this crime. It's not fair to pic his FB apart either especially to then twist his words around. He had a horrific childhood and I am for one proud of him for over coming that, not becoming that. He stated he wanted to help children and he really meant that in the purest way possible. He wanted to take his past and show kids to over come the challenges of life, to be a role model/counselor. Same on you for passing judgement without knowing anything about him. His comment about feeling worthless was also him feeling like he's been trying so hard to make ends meet but keeps getting thrown a curve ball. I for one know I've made those types of comments when I've felt worthless and like I couldn't do anything right. John I love you from the bottom of my heart and know that you will come through this, Don't let them beat you! They only have you as a false sense of saftey as well as just to have someone in custody and the real perp is still out there. I don't feel happy nor safe about that. XoxoIn contrast, one friend who spoke to 7News says Snorsky confessed to the cops that he broke into the Aurora house -- but only to burglarize it, not kidnap the child. He's said to have panicked when the girl screamed.Hang in there.
I don't believe for one second that this man did any such crime he has been around my daughter multiple times and never once came off as a threat. He was always very kind. Truely don't believe he did it.
I'm praying they have the wrong man
The friend also pointed to Snorsky's YouTube channel, in which he talks about starting a foundation to help at-risk kids and his interest in being a role model for them. Here's the 7News report incorporating that information.
It's too soon to know if this defense will fly. In the meantime, Snorsky remains in custody. Look below to see two mug shots -- one taken when he was younger, the second snapped at the time of his latest bust. That's followed by another 7News report, this one from shortly after news broke about his alleged connection to his kidnapping, as well as our previous coverage.
Continue for our previous coverage of the child kidnapping attempt in Aurora, including photos, videos and the police sketch. Update: Since we told you about the attempted kidnapping of an eight-year-old girl from her Aurora bedroom early yesterday morning (see our previous coverage below), local authorities have made the still-unknown perpetrator their highest priority. In addition to releasing a sketch of the suspect in conjunction with a press conference at which Aurora Police Department Chief Dan Oates announced, "There is a predator out there," a $10,000 reward is being offered in the case -- the highest ever for the APD. Photos, videos and details below.At about 12:15 a.m. on Monday, as we've reported, cops were dispatched to a home on the 1600 block of Hanover Street.
There, officers believe, a man removed a screen and opened an unlocked window of a bedroom occupied by an eight-year-old girl. He's then thought to have reached inside, grabbed the girl and pulled her into the alley behind the structure.
At that point, the girl screamed, alerting her father. He's said to have run out of the residence just as his daughter was sprinting back to the house -- and in the alley, he saw a man drive away in a newish silver or gray BMW sedan. He headed southbound down the alley, then west on East 16th Avenue.The father got close enough not only to provide a solid description of the man, described as a white male with blond hair wearing a black winter jacket, but also to smell "a distinct odor of cigarette smoke" coming from him, the police note.
The girl's injuries was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Her dad subsequently sat down with Aurora police sketch artists, who came up with an illustration of the suspect that was shared in conjunction with the aforementioned press conference featuring Chief Oates.
During the address, featured here in its entirety, Oates revealed that in addition to the typical $2,000 reward being offered through Crime Stoppers, Aurora is kicking in an additional $8,000, bringing the total to an unprecedented $10,000. As reported by 9News, Oates added, "I'm giving out this information to alert the entire Denver metro area that this predator is on the loose. We all need to be as watchful and vigilant as we can. I've been in this business a long time and I've never seen anything like this."If you have any information about this incident, you're encouraged to phone Detective Christine Hurley at 303-739-6113 or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).
Look below to see a larger version of the suspect sketch, an Aurora police bulletin featuring the photo of a car like the one the father saw, a video of the press conference and a 9News report.
Continue to read our previous coverage of the incident, including photos and a map of the area near the crime scene. Original post, 5:39 a.m. October 28: When we put our children to bed at night, we expect to find them in the same place the next morning, safe and sound.But according to police, an Aurora father experienced something quite different, and especially terrifying, early this morning. While his daughter wasn't badly hurt, the blond, BMW-driving man who's believed to have entered through her bedroom window remains at large as of this writing.
Details below.
The incident reportedly took place on the 1600 block of Hanover Street in Aurora, an area captured in the interactive graphic below. If you have problems seeing the image, click "View Larger Map."
View Larger Map
At about 12:15 a.m., the father told the Aurora Police Department, he was awakened by the screaming of his eight-year-old daughter. He rushed to her room, but she was no longer inside.
Instead, she is said to have been in the alley behind the house. Police believe the suspect exited through the bedroom window but left the girl behind when she cried out and her dad hurried to the sound of her voice.
Here's the description of the suspect tweeted by the APD:
Kidnapping suspect is a white male w/ blond hair wearing a Blk winter style jacket. Possible vehicle is a silver or grey newer model BMW
— Aurora Police Dept (@AuroraPD) October 28, 2013
In addition, the APD says the man had the "distinct odor of cigarette smoke."
Fortunately, the girl's injuries are described as minor, although she was transported to a local hospital.
The Aurora Police Crimes Against Children's Unit and crime scene investigators have now taken over the investigation. Detectives hope to be able to speak with the victim later today with the goal of having a composite sketch of the man available soon.
If you have any information about this incident, you're encouraged to phone Detective Christine Hurley at 303-739-6113 or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). A reward of up to $2,000 is being offered in the case.
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.
More from our Colorado Crimes archive circa October 2009: "Text this: Kidnapping foiled by stealthy thumb work."
