According to a local report, a violent transnational gang originating from Venezuela took control of an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado late last year.
Members of the Tren de Aragua gang took over the Whispering Pines Apartments in 2023, engaging in violent assaults, threats of murder, extortion, child prostitution and violent tactics, Denver law firm Perkins Coie wrote to city leaders in a nine-page report obtained by CBS News Colorado.
The firm was hired to investigate the alleged gang takeover of the building, the outlet reported, and interviewed witnesses and reviewed video footage from the complex before releasing its report.
“The evidence we have reviewed indicates that gang members engage in egregious violations of trespassing laws, assault and battery, human trafficking and sexual abuse of minors, illegal firearms possession, extortion, and other criminal activity, often targeting vulnerable Venezuelan and other immigrant populations,” former U.S. Attorney T. Markus Funk wrote in the letter.
TREN DE ARAGUA GANG MEMBERS ARRESTED IN AURORA, COLORADO, IN CONNECTION WITH TAKEOVER OF APARTMENT BUILDING, POLICE SAYS
Suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang are accused of invading apartment buildings in Aurora, Colorado, and charging rent in exchange for protection. (Edouard Romero)
The firm interviewed the apartment complex’s property manager, who said he had “never seen anything like Tren De Aragua’s purchase of Whispering Pines in his entire career.”
The property manager, who has 15 years of experience, told the company that two gang members were arrested when they “came to kill him” over an apparent late payment of rent.
An apartment building was completely invaded by suspected gang members, including changing the locks, according to a resident. (Danielle Jurinsky, Board Member)
He also detailed how the gang collected “rent” from residents and allegedly stabbed one individual who refused to pay. In June, gang members approached the property manager offering to help him if he paid the gang 50 percent of the rent collected, the report said.
“This is our business plan,” one gang member reportedly told a housekeeper who spoke to the company. “If he (the property manager) is not happy, we will shoot him.”
Vacant apartments in the apartment complex were used to host “parties” where the gang provided “drugs and child prostitution,” the property manager told company investigators, adding that “minors are a good source of money.”
AURORA POLICE REACT TO ALLEGED PRESENCE OF VENEZUELAN GANGS IN APARTMENTS: ‘THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN CONTROL’
Suspected gang activity at at least two Aurora apartment complexes has drawn renewed attention in recent days after surveillance video went viral showing heavily armed men breaking down an apartment door.
The Tren de Aragua is based primarily in Venezuela and has about 5,000 members between the South American country and the United States.
Last week, the Aurora Police Department denied claims that members of the Tren de Aragua gang had taken over a complex, The Edge in Lowry, while saying authorities were aware of the gang’s alleged criminal activity in the area.
The department announced the creation of a special task force in August to help combat the presence of the Tren de Aragua.
On Wednesday, police shared the names and photos of two documented members of the Tren de Aragua gang and two alleged members who were arrested in July on attempted murder charges.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Glad to see @AuroraPD finally starting to tell the truth and make arrests!” Aurora City Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky wrote on X. “The citizens of Aurora deserve to feel safe!”
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report.
Fox
