Aurora, Colorado - The Aurora Police Department (APD) has arrested 10 individuals suspected of being members of the transnational gang Tren de Aragua in connection with recent apartment building takeovers.
The arrests come after Fox News reported on surveillance footage showing armed men allegedly taking control of an apartment complex.
According to the statement, eight of the ten identified gang members have been taken into custody. The arrests are linked to various acts of violence against members of the migrant community in Aurora. Charges against the suspects include child abuse, attempted first-degree murder, and illegal discharge of a firearm.
Aurora Officials Address Gang Activity Concerns
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman and Council Member Danielle Jurinsky released a joint statement with the full endorsement of the city manager and the Aurora Police Department. The statement aimed to clarify the situation and counter what they described as exaggerated claims circulating on social media and in some news reports.
For some time, well before concerns about TdA in Colorado generated national attention, APD had been arresting people for various criminal activities who had suspected, but not necessarily confirmed, TdA connections. To date, APD has now linked 10 people to TdA and has arrested eight of those people.
The officials emphasized that while certain properties in the city have experienced issues with Tren de Aragua activity, these incidents do not reflect the overall safety situation in Aurora. They strongly refuted claims that the gang has "taken over" the city, describing such assertions as overstated and untrue.
Details Of The Gang-Related Arrests
Two of the arrested individuals were reportedly involved in a July shooting at one of the properties affected by Tren de Aragua activity. Additionally, one of the arrest warrants dates back to November 2023, related to an assault at the Whispering Pines apartments in Aurora.
The Aurora Police Department confirmed that all ten arrested individuals are documented members of Tren de Aragua, a transnational prison gang originating in Venezuela. Many of its members in the United States are believed to be in the country illegally.
Joint Task Force Formed To Combat Gang Activity
A joint task force has been established in response to the growing concerns about Tren de Aragua's presence in the region. This task force includes the Aurora Police Department and various local, state, and federal partners. The collaboration aims to address gang-related issues not only in Aurora but also in nearby areas such as Arapahoe County and Denver, where similar arrests have been made.
The formation of this task force underscores the seriousness with which local and state authorities are treating the situation. It also highlights the complex nature of combating transnational gang activity in a state that has adopted sanctuary policies.
Colorado's Sanctuary State Status And Its Impact
The arrests and ongoing gang activity have brought attention to Colorado's status as a sanctuary state. In 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed HB19-1124, which limits the state's cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This policy has been a point of contention in discussions about public safety and immigration.
A spokesperson for Governor Polis addressed the recent events in Aurora, emphasizing the state's stance on criminal activity:
Colorado is a zero-tolerance state for illegal activity. The Governor and his public safety team have been in close contact with the mayor and the City of Aurora for weeks on this matter, and are active participants in the task force.
Despite the challenges presented by gang activity, Aurora officials remain committed to maintaining the city's diverse character while ensuring public safety. The joint statement concluded, "We will continue to embrace our identity as the most diverse city in Colorado and remain steadfast in our commitment to arrest bad actors."
Conclusion
The Aurora Police Department has arrested 10 members of the Tren de Aragua gang in connection with apartment building takeovers. Eight of these individuals are currently in custody, facing charges ranging from child abuse to attempted murder. A joint task force has been formed to address gang activity in the region. Aurora officials have refuted claims of the city being "taken over" by the gang, emphasizing that the issues are limited to specific properties. The arrests highlight the ongoing challenges of balancing public safety concerns with Colorado's sanctuary state policies.
