Aurora Police confirm Tren de Aragua involved in home invasion

Aurora police confirmed that several members violent Venezuelan gang Train of Aragua (TdA) were involved in an “unbelievably violent” armed home invasion and kidnapping that left two victims seriously injured in an apartment complex this week.

“I will say without question, in my opinion, that it is TdA activity. Some of these individuals have been identified as TdA gang members,” said Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain. “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.

TREN DE ARAGUA GANG MEMBERS ARRESTED IN NYC APARTMENT NEAR DENJIĆ

Chamberlain said it wasn’t a “big step” for him to identify them as members of a notorious Venezuelan gang.

“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 the violence involved in this, again, it’s not a big leap to say that they are TdA gang members,” he said.

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.

SANCTUARY CITY DENVER SPENDS HUGE $356 MILLION ON MIGRANTS: STUDY

While the department cannot yet confirm whether all 19 suspects taken into custody in the incident are TdA members, Chamberlain said he can categorically confirm that several of them are part of the gang that has terrorized Aurora residents in recent months.

WATCH:

Chamberlain said one of the detained TdA members was also involved in the violent robbery of an apartment in Aurora earlier this year.

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 the couple are not the only victims intimidated and extorted by gang members.

Chamberlain also said Aurora police are fully cooperating ICE, DHS, and Homeland Security Investigations in order to determine the identity and potential gang affiliation of those involved in the incident.

A total of 19 suspects were brought in for questioning, three of whom have since been released, and eight are now in ICE custody. He said eight were still under investigation.

“Those pending charges range from second-degree kidnapping, aggravated robbery, first-degree assault, extortion and burglary,” he said.

The police did not release the names of the 16 arrested persons.

The police chief reiterated that authorities did not conduct a “mass purge” of suspects, but instead went door-to-door to thoroughly investigate all parties involved.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

During the press conference, Chamberlain emphasized that Aurora police will respond to calls and help any victim in need “regardless of immigration status.”