An unsettling event has gripped Aurora, Colorado, as videos purportedly showing Venezuelan gang members at an apartment complex spread online.
According to Fox News, Aurora Police have debunked claims that Venezuelan gang members have seized control of a local housing complex.
Aurora Police Department's Interim Chief, Heather Morris, addressed the community late Friday concerning the troubling content circulating on social media. She reaffirmed public safety and denied any takeover of the complex, striving to quell rising fears among residents.
Insight on Tren de Aragua’s Activities
The gang, known as Tren de Aragua, has been a concern for law enforcement due to their notorious activities extending from Venezuela. The gang’s slogan, translating to "real until death," hints at their severe and often violent modus operandi.
A doorbell camera caught several men, one wielding a scoped rifle, attempting to forcibly enter a unit at The Edge at Lowry complex. This sparked initial alarms about the group’s activities in the area.
Aurora Police have been intentionally gathering evidence that ties the gang to numerous crimes within the area, including an alarming incident where gang members allegedly demanded rent from tenants in exchange for “protection.” This extortion reportedly marked just one aspect of their criminal portfolio, which spans over 100 documented offenses nationwide.
Legal Responses and Community Safety
In response to these severe allegations, Mayor Mike Coffman has been proactive about regaining control over affected properties. He is seeking legal avenues to deem these buildings ‘Criminal Nuisances,’ a designation that will hopefully restore ownership rights and dispel gang presence.
Moreover, a law enforcement task force has been commissioned to disrupt and detain members of the Venezuelan gang ensconced within these buildings. Urging the community's cooperation, Aurora Police have called on all residents, including migrants, to come forward and report activities of the TdA to help curb their influence.
Task Force and Ongoing Investigations
The arrest of a man known by the alias "Cookie Monster," believed to be a leader within Tren de Aragua, was part of a broader initiative started on July 28 during a shooting investigation. This incident has escalated enforcement efforts against gang operations in Aurora.
The police department reiterated their awareness of TdA components in the area. They emphasized that while they are collecting evidence of the gang's involvement in crimes, they have urged caution against conclusive statements concerning the gang’s control over specific incidents until thorough investigations are complete.
In a comprehensive statement regarding these operations, here’s what Interim Chief Heather Morris shared:
I’m not saying that there’s not gang members that don’t live in this community. But what we’re learning out here is that gang members have not taken over this complex.
Meanwhile, Mayor Mike Coffman outlined the next steps in his game plan on Facebook:
The Aurora City Attorney's Office is preparing court documents to request an emergency court order to clear the apartment buildings where Venezuelan gang activity has been occurring by declaring the properties a ‘Criminal Nuisance’. This will require a municipal judge to issue the order with the goal of getting these properties back under the control of the property owners.
Conclusion
The situation in Aurora illustrates the challenges communities face when confronting organized crime, especially from transnational groups like Tren de Aragua. Despite alarming reports and viral social media content, Aurora Police and local governance are taking decisive actions to address these issues head-on, ensuring public safety while dealing with the real threats posed by such organized crime elements. The community's engagement and reporting of any suspicious activity remains a crucial element in these efforts. The aim remains clear: take back control, ensure community safety, and prevent any further escalation of gang activity.
