Members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been charged after months of allegedly terrorizing people
Nine suspected members of a violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) were charged following a violent December home invasion, kidnapping and robbery in Aurora, Colorado.
The apartment complex attracted a lot of national media attention due to claims that it was taken over by a Venezuelan gang earlier this year.
The Aurora, Colorado Police Department announced nine arrests Monday in an armed home invasion and kidnapping that left two victims seriously injured.
The nine suspects were identified as:
- Andres Alexander Liendo-Padilla, 26
- Javier Alexander Alvarado Parade, 24
- Jesus Alberto Alejos Escalona, 22
- Junior Reyes-Barrios, 28
- Barbara Sivle Medina-Arcaya, 29
- Donarkys Teresa Suarez-Quesada, 31
- Luigi Javier Soto-Sucre, 26
- Niefred Jose Serpa-Acosta, 20
- Jengrinso Elias Loreto-Petit, 26
AURORA, COLORADO POLICE SAY HOME INVASION ‘WITHOUT QUESTION’ TREN DE ARAGUA GANG ACTIVITY
Alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang have taken over an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado, charging rent in exchange for “protection,” according to previous reports. (Edward Romero)
The suspects face various charges, including second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, aggravated robbery, second degree burglaryextortion and menacing, the department said.
Serpa-Acosta was previously wanted on active felony warrants for first-degree burglary and threatening with a deadly weapon, police said. His warrant was issued on Aug. 18, 2024, when a security camera captured Serpa-Acosta and five other armed men knocking on the door of an apartment at The Edge in Lowry about 10 minutes before the fatal shooting.
In addition to the above charges, the department said they have obtained arrest warrants for three other suspects who are not yet in custody.
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The charges against the suspected gang members come after a savage saga on December 17, 2024 around 2:30 a.m.
Gang members allegedly forced their way into a couple’s apartment at the Edge at Lowry Apartments in the A suburb of Denver and he tied up, beat, stabbed and kidnapped the victims, leaving them in the hospital. Allegedly, the perpetrators also stole jewelry from the victims.
A general view of the apartment buildings at 12th and Dallas in Aurora, Colorado, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. The apartments were the scene of a reported home invasion overnight. (Fox News Digital)
A total of 19 suspects were initially arrested in connection with the kidnapping, which authorities previously described as “painful”.
Three people were released after interviews with investigators and it was determined that they were not involved in the crime, the police said.
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The remaining 16 suspects were in custody US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
An additional seven suspects who have not yet been charged were in ICE custody and remained under investigation, police said.
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain speaks to the media during a news conference in Aurora, Colo., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Chief Chamberlain told reporters that the overnight home invasion that resulted in 14 arrests is believed to be a “gang incident.” (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)
“I will say without question, in my opinion, that it is TdA activity. Some of these individuals have been identified as TdA gang members,” Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said at the start of the investigation. “We are working very closely with our partners at HSI. [Homeland Security Investigations] and DHS [Homeland Security] to establish their relationship with the gangs.”
Chamberlain said authorities have little way to confirm a suspect is a TdA member because gang members typically don’t disclose their affiliation.
“It’s a real challenge trying 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 leap to say that they are TdA gang members,” he said.
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According to Chamberlain, this was not an isolated incident. He said TdA members and their affiliates regularly harassed the couple and extorted $500 from them every two weeks. He believes that the couple are not the only victims who were intimidated and extorted by gang members.
Aurora police prepare to search and carry supplies given to them by an emergency worker in Aurora, Colo., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Apartments were the scene of a reported home invasion overnight. (Fox News Digital) (Fox News Digital)
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The investigation into the kidnapping on December 17, 2024 is active and ongoing. Anyone with any 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.
