Ten members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a criminal organization originating in Venezuela, were arrested in Aurora, Colorado, on Wednesday after a series of crimes, including an armed takeover of an apartment complex. The gang, largely composed of illegal immigrants, has been linked to violent acts throughout the city.
Local officials, including Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Council Member Danielle Jurinsky, revealed that the gang had been forcibly occupying apartments and collecting rent from residents. Eight of the ten arrested individuals have been confirmed as members of the gang, with two implicated in a July shooting at one of the complexes targeted by the gang.
The charges range from child abuse to attempted first-degree murder, highlighting the severity of the group’s actions. A joint task force involving local, state, and federal law enforcement has been formed to combat the growing influence of the gang, which has spread beyond Aurora into neighboring areas like Arapahoe County and Denver.
Despite the serious allegations, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) initially downplayed the reports of the Venezuelan gang’s presence in Aurora. However, as more details surfaced, the threat posed by Tren de Aragua has become impossible to ignore.
Law enforcement in Aurora is committed to cracking down on the criminal activities of Tren de Aragua, and further arrests are expected in the coming weeks.
