Aurora police provided an update after a video surfaced allegedly showing heavily armed Venezuelan migrant gang members attempting to break into an apartment in Colorado. Interim Chief Heather Morris clarified that while gang members do reside in the community, they have not taken over the apartment complex. The group in the video, believed to be the Tren de Aragua gang, was seen armed with handguns and a scoped rifle. The gang, with an estimated 5,000 members, has a motto of “real until death.” The Aurora Police Department has been collecting evidence connecting the gang to crimes in the area but refrained from making conclusive statements about specific incidents or law enforcement strategies.
Despite reports of Tren de Aragua’s influence in Aurora, the department stated that based on initial investigative work, it believes the gang’s presence in the area is isolated. The gang has been linked to over 100 crimes nationwide. TdA leader “Cookie Monster” is already in custody as part of a shooting investigation. The Aurora Police Department encouraged all community members, including those within migrant communities, to report crimes committed against them to local law enforcement agencies rather than remaining silent victims. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman announced plans to clear the apartment buildings where the gang activity has been taking place by declaring the properties a ‘Criminal Nuisance’ and obtaining an emergency court order to regain control of the buildings.
Authorities emphasized the importance of reporting crimes anonymously to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. The effort to disrupt and arrest Venezuelan gang members in the affected buildings will continue. Coffman stressed the need to shut down the buildings where gang activity has been occurring to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. The goal is to ensure that such situations do not arise again and that the properties are brought back under the control of the owners. The law enforcement task force focusing on Venezuelan gang members will persist in its operation to address the issue. The Aurora Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for additional comments on the situation.
Overall, the Aurora Police Department is taking action following the incident involving heavily armed Venezuelan migrant gang members attempting to break into an apartment complex in Colorado. While gang members do reside in the community, they have not taken over the complex. The Tren de Aragua gang, with a large membership and a motto of “real until death,” has been linked to crimes in the area. The department is collecting evidence to connect the gang to criminal activity but refrained from providing specific details about law enforcement strategies. Authorities are urging community members, including those from migrant communities, to report crimes to local law enforcement agencies rather than remaining silent victims.
Reports of Tren de Aragua’s presence in Aurora are believed to be isolated based on initial investigative work. The gang has been connected to numerous crimes nationwide, with its leader “Cookie Monster” in custody as part of a shooting investigation. Mayor Mike Coffman announced plans to clear the affected apartment buildings by labeling them a ‘Criminal Nuisance’ and obtaining an emergency court order to gain control of the properties. Efforts to disrupt and arrest Venezuelan gang members in the buildings will continue as officials work to prevent similar incidents in the future. The community is encouraged to report crimes anonymously to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers to aid in the enforcement of law and order in the area.
