A judge in Aurora, Colorado, last week ordered the emergency closure of an apartment complex overrun by crime and migrant gangs.
City Judge Shawn Day ruled Friday that the Edge at Lowry apartment complex must close temporarily due to “an immediate threat to public safety.” City officials had filed a petition last week against the apartment complex’s owner, Five Dallas Partners, LLC.
Despite the order, city officials say the closure is not expected to last several months.
The city’s petition to close the apartment complex included an affidavit from Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain, who noted a long string of violent crimes occurred at the apartments.
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An Aurora Police vehicle sits at the crime scene outside the apartment buildings at 12th and Dallas on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 in Aurora, Colorado. The home was the scene of a reported home invasion overnight. (Fox News Digital)
“The Edge of Lowry Apartments is an epicenter for outright violent and property crimes perpetuated by a criminal element that has exerted control and fear over others living in this apartment complex,” Chamberlain wrote.
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Much of the criminal activity is linked to the violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), authorities say.
Nine suspected members of the gang were charged Monday following a violent home invasion, kidnapping and robbery at the Edge at Lowry complex in December.
General view of apartment buildings at 12th and Dallas in Aurora, Colorado, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The homes were the scene of a reported home invasion overnight. (Fox News digital)
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Aurora, Colorado police on Monday announced nine arrests in the armed home invasion and kidnapping that seriously injured two victims.
The nine suspects were identified as:
- Andres Alexander Liendo-Padilla, 26
- Javier Alexander Alvarado Parada, 24
- Jesus Alberto Alejos Escalona, 22
- Junior Reyes-Barrios, 28
- Barbara Sivle Medina-Arcaya, 29
- Donarkys Teresa Suarez-Quesada, 31
- Louis Javier Soto-Sucre, 26
- Niefred Jose Serpa-Acosta, 20
- Jengrinso Elias Loreto-Petit, 26
Nine suspected members of the violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) were charged following the violent home invasion, kidnapping and theft in Aurora, Colorado. (Aurora Police Department)
The gang members are said to have entered a couple’s apartment on the Edge at Lowry Apartments in the city Suburbs of Denver and bound, beat, stabbed and kidnapped the victims, causing them to be hospitalized. The perpetrators are also said to have stolen jewelry from the victims.
A total of 19 suspects were initially arrested in connection with the kidnapping, which authorities previously described as ‘tortuous’.
Three people were subsequently released after being interviewed by investigators and it was determined they were not involved in the crime, police said.
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The remaining sixteen suspects were held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The remaining seven suspects not yet charged were in ICE custody and were still under investigation, police said.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten of Fox News contributed to this report
