Aurora police have disclosed new information about the presence of a Venezuelan gang in the city, addressing concerns raised on social media. According to Aurora police spokesman Joe Moylan, 10 individuals associated with the Tren de Aragua gang are currently operating in Aurora, with six of them already arrested and in custody.
While specific details about the identities of these individuals and the charges against them are not yet available, some of them are linked to a shooting incident on Nome Street in July. Notably, no arrests have been made in connection to allegations of gang members collecting rent from residents at properties owned by CBZ Property Management.
The discussion surrounding the Venezuelan gang intensified when CBZ Property Management attributed unlivable conditions at its properties to criminal activities by Tren de Aragua members. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman echoed these claims, suggesting that the apartment complexes had been influenced by the gang. However, conflicting perspectives have emerged, with some officials and residents attributing the poor living conditions to mismanagement by the property management company.
Despite the attention on Tren de Aragua, Aurora’s interim police chief clarified that the gang had not taken control of the complexes. With a population of approximately 400,000, Aurora has identified 36 gangs with 1,355 members, representing a small fraction of the city’s population. While the 10 Tren de Aragua members make up less than 1% of the city’s gang members, Moylan anticipates that more individuals associated with the gang will be identified as investigations progress.
Aurora police have been probing various claims related to gang activities, including rent collection, but have yet to establish probable cause for arrests. Investigations have primarily involved complaints from migrants residing in the buildings. Notably, only one crime this summer has been linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, a shooting on July 28, where one suspect was arrested and charged.
Recent arrests include Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos, a documented Tren de Aragua member, and his brother, Jhonnarty Dejesus Pacheco-Chirinos, on attempted murder charges. Two other individuals with gang ties were also arrested for tampering with evidence in connection to the shooting. These suspects remain in custody, and the investigation continues.
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