Aurora police have confirmed that several members of the violent Venezuelan gang Train of Aragua (TdA) were involved in an “incredibly violent” armed home invasion and kidnapping that seriously injured two victims at an apartment complex this week.
“I will say without any doubt in my opinion that it is TdA activity. Some of these individuals have been identified as TdA gang members,” said Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain. “It’s something that we’re working very closely with our partners in HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) and DHS (Homeland Security) to build their relationship with them. gangs.”
Chamberlain said authorities have few options to confirm that a suspect is a member of TdA, as gang members typically do not disclose their membership.
“It’s a real challenge to try to say, ‘Hey, 100%, you’re a gang member,’” he said.
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Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain speaks to the media during a news conference on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
Chamberlain said it was not a “major step” for him to identify them as members of the notorious Venezuelan gang.
“But when you look at the circumstances of this, when you look at the events of this, when you look at the individuals involved in this, when you look at the veracity and the violence involved in this, again, it’s not a big deal . step for me to say that they are TdA gang members,” he said.
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.
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While the department cannot yet confirm whether all 19 suspects detained in the incident are TdA members, Chamberlain said he could categorically confirm that several are part of the gang that has terrorized Aurora residents in recent months.
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Chamberlain said one of the detained TdA members was also involved in the violent takeover of apartments in Aurora earlier this year.
Chamberlain said this was not an isolated incident. He said the TdA members and their associates regularly abused the couple and extorted $500 from them every two weeks. He believes the couple were not the only victims intimidated and extorted by the gang members.
Chamberlain also said Aurora police are fully cooperating ICE, DHS and homeland security investigations to determine the identities and possible gang ties of those involved in the incident.
Aurora police prepare for a search in Aurora, Colorado, Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Fox News digital)
A total of 19 suspects were detained for questioning, three of whom have since been released and eight of whom are now in ICE custody. He said eight more were under investigation.
“The pending charges range from second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, extortion and burglary,” he said.
Police have not released the names of the sixteen people arrested.
Apartment buildings at 12th and Dallas in Aurora, Colorado, Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Fox News digital)
The police chief reiterated that authorities did not conduct a “mass investigation” of the suspects, but instead went door to door to thoroughly investigate all parties involved.
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During a press conference, Chamberlain emphasized that Aurora police would respond to calls and help any victim in trouble “regardless of immigration status.”
