Aurora Police confirm Tren de Aragua involved in home invasion
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain has confirmed that members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) were responsible for an extremely brutal armed home invasion and kidnapping that resulted in two victims being seriously injured in an apartment complex this week.
Chamberlain stated, “I will say without question, in my opinion, that this is TdA activity. Some of these individuals have been identified as TdA gang members. It’s something that we are working very closely with our partners in HSI [Homeland Security Investigations] and DHS [Homeland Security] to establish their relationship with gangs.”
Identifying suspects as TdA members can be challenging since gang members typically do not openly disclose their affiliation. Chamberlain explained, “It is a real challenge to try to say, ‘Hey, 100%, you are a gang member.'”
The gang members forcibly entered a couple’s apartment at the Edge at Lowry Apartments in the Denver suburbs, where they bound, beat, stabbed, and kidnapped the victims, leaving them hospitalized. The perpetrators also stole jewelry from the victims.
While the Aurora Police Department has not confirmed if all 19 suspects detained in the incident are TdA members, Chamberlain asserted that several are part of the gang that has been causing fear among Aurora residents in recent months.
Chamberlain revealed that the TdA members and their associates had been terrorizing the couple, extorting $500 from them every two weeks. He suspects that the couple were not the only victims subjected to intimidation and extortion by the gang members.
Aurora Police are collaborating with ICE, DHS, and Homeland Security Investigations to determine the identities and potential gang affiliation of those involved in the incident. A total of 19 suspects were detained for questioning, with three released, eight in ICE custody, and eight still under investigation.
Chamberlain emphasized that charges against the suspects range from second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, extortion, and burglary. The names of the 16 arrested individuals have not been disclosed.
The police chief clarified that authorities did not conduct a “mass sweep” for the suspects but thoroughly investigated all parties involved by going door to door. Chamberlain reassured the public that Aurora Police would respond to calls and assist any victim in distress, regardless of their immigration status.
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