Aurora police confirmed that several members Violent Venezuelan gang Train Aragua (TdA) They were involved in an “incredibly violent” armed home invasion and kidnapping that left two victims seriously injured at an apartment complex this week.
“I will say without a doubt, in my opinion, that is it TDA activity. “Some of these individuals have been identified as TdA gang members,” Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said. Gangs.”
Chamberlain said authorities have little way to confirm that a suspect is a member of the TdA because gang members typically do not advertise their affiliation.
“It's a real challenge trying to say, 'Hey, 100 percent, you're a gang member,'” he added.
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Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain speaks to the media during a news conference Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Derek Schock for Fox News Digital)
Chamberlain said identifying them as members of the notorious Venezuelan cartel was not a “big step.”
“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 truth and the violence involved in this, again, it's not a big deal,” he said. “A step for me to say they are members of TdA gang.
Gang members allegedly broke into the couple's apartment at The Edge at Lowry Apartments in Denver suburbs They tied up the victims, beat them, stabbed them, kidnapped them and left them in the hospital. The perpetrators also allegedly stole jewelry from the victims.
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While the department cannot yet confirm whether all 19 suspects detained in the incident are members of the TdA, Chamberlain said he can conclusively confirm that several of them are part of the gang that has been terrorizing Aurora residents in recent months.
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Chamberlain said one of the arrested TdA members was also involved in the attack Violent seizure of an apartment in Aurora earlier this year.
According to Chamberlain, this was not an isolated incident. He said TdA members and their affiliates regularly abused the couple and blackmailed them for $500 every two weeks. It is believed that the couple were not the only victims who were subjected to intimidation and blackmail by gang members.
Chamberlain also said Aurora police are fully cooperating ICE, DHS, and Homeland Security investigations To determine the identities and possible gang affiliations of those involved in the incident.
Aurora police prepare to search in Aurora, Colorado, Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Fox News Digital)
A total of 19 suspects were taken into custody for questioning, three of whom have since been released, and eight of whom are now in ICE custody. He added that eight are still under investigation.
“These pending charges range from everything from second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, extortion and burglary,” he said.
The police did not announce the names of the 16 people arrested.
Apartment buildings at 12th and Dallas streets in Aurora, Colorado, Tuesday, December 17, 2024. (Fox News Digital)
The police chief reiterated that the authorities did not conduct a “mass search” for the suspects, but instead carried out house-to-house searches to conduct a comprehensive investigation with all parties involved.
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Chamberlain stressed during a news conference that Aurora police will respond to calls and assist any victim in trouble “regardless of immigration status.”
