Aurora Police confirm Tren de Aragua was involved in a home invasion
Aurora police have confirmed that several members of the violent Venezuelan gang Train of Aragua (TdA) were involved in an “incredibly violent” armed home invasion and kidnapping at an apartment complex this week that left two victims seriously injured.
“In my opinion, I can say without question that this is the case TdA activity. “Some of these individuals have been identified as members of the TdA gang,” said Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain. “We work very closely with our partners at HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) and DHS (Homeland Security) to build their relationship with their gangs.”
Chamberlain said authorities have little way of confirming that a suspect is a member of the TdA because gang members typically do not disclose their affiliation.
“It’s a real challenge to say, ‘Hey, you’re 100% a gang member,'” he said.
TREN DE ARAGUA GANG MEMBERS ARRESTED IN NYC APARTMENT NEXT TO CHILDREN’S CENTER
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain speaks to the media during a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Chamberlain said it wasn’t a “big step” for him to identify them as members of the notorious Venezuelan gang.
“But when you look at the circumstances, when you look at the events, when you look at the people involved, when you look at the truthfulness and the violence involved, again, it’s not a big problem.” For me, it is Step to say that they are members of the TdA gang,” he said.
The gang members allegedly forced their way into a couple’s apartment at The Edge at Lowry Apartments Denver suburbs They tied up, beat, stabbed and kidnapped the victims and left them in the hospital. The perpetrators are also said to have stolen jewelry from the victims.
SANCTUARY CITY DENVER spends staggering $356 million on migrants: study
While the department cannot yet confirm whether all 19 suspects arrested in the incident are TdA members, Chamberlain said he can categorically confirm that several are part of the gang that has been terrorizing Aurora residents in recent months.
REGARD:
Chamberlain said one of the detained TdA members was also involved violent home takeover in Aurora earlier this year.
According to Chamberlain, this was not an isolated incident. He said the TdA members and their partners regularly abused the couple and extorted $500 from them every two weeks. He believes the couple were not the only victims intimidated and blackmailed by the gang members.
Chamberlain also said Aurora police are fully cooperating ICE, DHS and Homeland Security investigations to determine the identity and possible gang affiliation of those involved in the incident.
Aurora police prepare for a search in Aurora, Colorado, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Fox News Digital)
A total of 19 suspects were detained for questioning, three of whom have since been released and eight of whom are currently in ICE custody. He said an investigation was still underway at eight o’clock.
“The pending charges range from second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, extortion and burglary,” he said.
Police have not released the names of the 16 people arrested.
Multifamily homes at 12th and Dallas in Aurora, Colorado, Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Fox News Digital)
The police chief reiterated that authorities did not conduct a “mass search” against the suspects, but instead went door-to-door to thoroughly investigate everyone involved.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
During a press conference, Chamberlain emphasized that Aurora police would respond to calls and assist any victim in need “regardless of immigration status.”
