TWO KILLED CONFRONTING AUTO THIEVES IN DENVER

In a disturbing trend, two men were shot and killed days apart when they confronted people breaking into their autos in Denver, police warned Thursday.

The murders occurred in the 15000-block of East Olmstead Drive at about 1:15 a.m. on June 24 and in the 4300-block of Pecos Street at about 11:55 p.m. on June 30.

Citizens are asked to call 911 if witnessing a crime - and avoid intervening.

Police said they are attempting to determine whether the killings are related and that investigators "have made progress."

"The brazen action of these suspects go against the fiber of our community," Police Chief Ron Thomas said.

So far this year, there have been 26 murders in Denver, up from 18 a year earlier, police said. Twenty of this year's 26 murders have yielded arrests or have been solved.

If you have information, call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers (720) 913-7867