The Venezuelan gang’s alleged takeover of Aurora, Colorado apartments began in 2023, revealing a disturbing trend that has captured the attention of both locals and law enforcement.
Members of the Tren de Aragua gang reportedly claimed control over the Whispering Pines Apartments last year, committing heinous acts characterized by violent assaults, threats of murder, extortion, child prostitution, and strongarm tactics. This stark reality was outlined in a nine-page report sent by the Denver law firm Perkins Coie to city leaders and obtained by CBS News Colorado.
The firm, tasked with examining the alleged gang incursion, gathered testimonies from witnesses and scrutinized video evidence from the apartment complex. “The evidence we have reviewed indicates that gang members are engaging in flagrant trespass violations, assaults and battery, human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors, unlawful firearms possession, extortion, and other criminal activities, often targeting vulnerable Venezuelan and other immigrant populations,” wrote T. Markus Funk, a former U.S. Attorney, in this notable letter.
The property manager of Whispering Pines, who has dealt with tenants for over 15 years, shared his disbelief at the gang’s takeover, stating, “I had never seen anything remotely like the Tren de Aragua takeover of Whispering Pines in my entire career.” The chaos reached new heights when he revealed that two gang members were apprehended while allegedly approaching him with the intent to harm over a late rent payment.
The manager went on to describe a grim situation where gang members extracted “rent” from residents, resulting in violence, including a stabbing for those who resisted. Furthermore, a chilling incident in June saw gang members present the property manager with a proposition to allow them to “assist” him, demanding 50% of all rent collected.
One member’s casual threat loomed large as they addressed a housekeeper, declaring, “This is our business plan. If he doesn’t like it, we’ll fill him with bullets.” The regularity of fear was compounded by vacant units being used to conduct “parties” where drugs and child prostitution were rampant, with minors being targeted as easy sources of income.
In a wider context, the alleged gang activity within at least two apartment complexes in Aurora sparked significant scrutiny after surveillance footage surfaced, unveiling heavily armed men forcefully breaching an apartment door. The Tren de Aragua gang, primarily rooted in Venezuela, has an estimated 5,000 members across both their home country and the United States.
Despite reports, the Aurora Police Department refuted the idea that the Tren de Aragua gang had established dominance at The Edge at Lowry, yet acknowledged awareness of the gang’s suspected criminal operations in the area. To combat this growing menace, the department announced a special task force in August, underscoring their commitment to public safety.
On a recent Wednesday, police authorities released the names and photographs of two identified gang members and two suspected associates arrested in July for attempted murder. The community’s concern echoed through the remarks of Aurora City Council member Danielle Jurinsky, who expressed optimism via social media, stating, “Happy to see the @AuroraPD finally start to tell the truth and make arrests! Aurora citizens deserve to feel safe!”
As this unsettling matter unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges that communities face in securing safety and stability. It prompts deeper reflections on the vulnerabilities present within immigrant populations and the systemic challenges that local law enforcement must navigate. Understanding these dynamics is crucial as Aurora seeks ways to reclaim its sense of security and well-being amidst a tide of fear and uncertainty.
Random fact: In the early 2000s, Venezuela experienced a significant crime wave, which has since influenced gangs like Tren de Aragua to expand their operations internationally.
