AURORA, Colo. – Reports of Venezuelan gang activity in Colorado have raised concerns among residents, prompting multiple inquiries for news coverage. A woman residing in an apartment complex shared disturbing video footage with CBS Colorado, showing armed men wandering through the building and knocking on doors. City officials confirmed that these individuals are affiliated with a Venezuelan gang.
In response to community fears, the Aurora Police Department issued a statement on August 28, announcing the creation of a special task force. This initiative, developed in collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, aims to address issues linked to the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang and related criminal activities impacting migrant communities. The DEA is also involved, providing additional resources to tackle the ongoing problem.
Authorities acknowledge the presence of TdA in Aurora and have been gathering evidence to establish connections to local crimes. However, they refrain from making definitive statements regarding specific incidents or explaining law enforcement strategies.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the gang’s influence in Aurora may be limited. The police encourage residents, particularly those from migrant communities, to report any crimes anonymously through Metro Denver Crime Stoppers.
Cindy Romero, a resident of the affected apartment complex located at 12th Avenue and Dallas Street, recounted her experience during the disturbances. She managed to remain safe by staying quiet and providing food and bedbug spray to the armed men. Over the course of several weeks, she installed multiple cameras that captured multiple violent incidents, including the forced entry into a neighbor’s home and armed individuals approaching a vehicle.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as investigations proceed.