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Nine alleged members of the violent Venezuelan prison gang Aragua Train (TdA) were charged following a violent home invasion, kidnapping and robbery in December in Aurora, Colorado.
The apartment complex attracted widespread national media attention over allegations that it had been taken over by the Venezuelan gang earlier this year.
The Aurora, Colorado Police Department on Monday announced nine arrests for armed invasion and kidnapping that left two victims seriously injured.
The nine suspects were identified as:
- Andres Alexander Liendo-Padilla, 26
- Javier Alexander Alvarado Parada, 24
- Jesus Alberto Alejos Escalona, 22
- Junior Reyes Barrios, 28
- Bárbara Sivle Medina-Arcaya, 29 years old.
- Donarkys Teresa Suarez-Quesada, 31
- Luis Javier Soto-Sucre, 26
- Niefred José Serpa Acosta, 20 years old
- Jengrinso Elias Loreto-Petit, 26
AURORA, COLORADO POLICE SAY HOME INVASION ‘NO QUESTIONS ASKED’ ARAGUA TRAIN GANG ACTIVITY
Alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang took over an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado, charging rent in exchange for “protection,” previous reports say. (Eduardo Romero)
The suspects face various charges, including second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, aggravated robbery, second degree robberyextortion and threats, the department said.
Serpa-Acosta was previously wanted on an active felony charge of first-degree robbery and threatening with a deadly weapon, police said. His warrant arose on Aug. 18, 2024, when a security camera captured Serpa-Acosta and five other armed men knocking on apartment doors at The Edge at Lowry about 10 minutes before a fatal shooting.
In addition to the above charges, the department said they obtained arrest warrants for three additional suspects who are not yet in custody.
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The charges against the alleged gang members come after a wild saga on December 17, 2024 at approximately 2:30 am.
Gang members allegedly forced their way into a couple’s apartment at Edge at Lowry Apartments in the denver suburbs and they tied up, beat, stabbed and kidnapped the victims, leaving them hospitalized. The perpetrators also allegedly stole jewelry from the victims.
General view of apartment buildings at 12th and Dallas in Aurora, Colorado, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. The homes were the scene of a reported home invasion overnight. (Fox News Digital)
A total of 19 suspects were initially detained in connection with the kidnapping, which authorities previously described as “tortuous.”
Three people were later released after being interviewed by investigators and were determined not to be involved in the crime, police said.
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The remaining 16 suspects were detained for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The seven additional suspects who have not yet been charged were in ICE custody and remained under investigation, police said.
Aurora Police Department Chief Todd Chamberlain speaks to the media during a news conference in Aurora, Colorado, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Chief Chamberlain told reporters that a home invasion is believed overnight that resulted in 14 arrests is a “gang incident.” (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
“I will say without a doubt, in my opinion, that this is TdA activity. “Some of these individuals have been identified as members of the TdA gang,” Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said at the beginning of the investigation. “It’s something we are working on very closely with our partners at HSI (Investigations of Homeland Security) and DHS (Homeland Security). ) to establish his relationship with the gangs.”
Chamberlain said authorities have few ways to confirm that a suspect is a TdA member since gang members typically do not publicize their affiliation.
“It’s a real challenge to try to say, ‘Hey, 100%, you’re a gang member,'” he said. “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 veracity and violence involved in this, again, it’s not a big step for me to say that they are gang members. TdA,” he said.
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According to Chamberlain, this was not an isolated incident. He said TdA members and their affiliates had regularly abused the couple and extorted $500 from them every two weeks. He believes the couple were not the only victims intimidated and extorted by gang members.
Aurora police prepare to search through supplies given to them by a relief worker in Aurora, Colorado, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. The homes were the scene of a reported home invasion overnight. (Fox News Digital) (Fox News Digital)
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The investigation into the December 17, 2024 kidnapping is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
