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Aurora police arrests 14 TDA gang members after armed home invasion of apartment complex

The Aurora Police Department announced on Tuesday the arrest of 14 individuals connected to an armed home invasion at an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado.

The incident occurred at The Edge at Lowry Apartments, a property that gained national attention earlier this year for its ties to the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

According to a press release, officers responded to a 911 call just before 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The report detailed an armed home invasion involving a stabbing and a kidnapping at an apartment in the 1200 block of Dallas Street.

Initial investigations revealed that multiple suspects forcibly entered an apartment occupied by two individuals. The victims were moved against their will to another unit within the complex, where they were threatened and bound. After some time, the victims were released, allowing them to contact authorities.

During the incident, one of the victims, an adult male, suffered a non-life-threatening stab wound. Police have not yet confirmed the motives behind the attack or the specific relationship between the suspects and the victims.

While it remains unclear whether the arrested individuals are connected to Tren de Aragua, the violent Venezuelan gang has been a significant source of concern for both law enforcement and residents of the complex. Fox News reported that the gang’s activities at The Edge at Lowry Apartments had been widely documented over the summer, escalating fears in the community.

In August, doorbell footage from a resident’s apartment captured heavily armed gang members walking through the hallways of the complex. The chilling video was reportedly taken just moments before a shootout erupted, leaving one person seriously injured and nearby vehicles damaged by gunfire.

The August incident prompted a broader investigation into Tren de Aragua’s presence in Aurora and beyond. Two individuals connected to the gang, Denyeer Aramillo Meneses, 23, and Edison Pena Angulo, 25, were later arrested in a high-profile drug and firearms operation in New York City. Both were charged with burglary and menacing with a firearm related to their activities at the Aurora apartment complex.

Authorities suspect that the gang has extended its influence far beyond Colorado, with members engaging in violent crimes and illicit activities across multiple states.

The repeated criminal activity at The Edge at Lowry Apartments has put residents on high alert. In addition to violent incidents, the gang has reportedly taken over vacant units and used them for illegal purposes.

CBZ Management, the real estate company overseeing several Aurora properties, confirmed that Tren de Aragua had infiltrated multiple locations. The company revealed that one of its employees was severely beaten after refusing to allow gang members to occupy a vacant unit.

In response to ongoing safety concerns, the City of Aurora reached an agreement with CBZ Management earlier this month to close the troubled apartment complex. If finalized, the closure will affect five of the six buildings on the property. Residents in impacted units will be given 30 days’ notice to vacate.

Local officials have described the move as a necessary step to protect residents and curb gang activity in the area. However, the closure has also raised concerns about relocation challenges for tenants, many of whom have lived at the complex for years.

The arrests of the 14 suspects mark a significant development in the city’s efforts to restore safety to the area. Law enforcement officials remain committed to dismantling gang operations and preventing future violence.

Aurora residents continue to grapple with fear and uncertainty as the investigation unfolds. One community member, recalling the violent August shootout, told reporters that the ongoing gang presence has made daily life “like living in a war zone.”

Aurora police are encouraging residents to report suspicious activity and cooperate with investigators as they work to determine whether the arrested suspects have ties to Tren de Aragua.

The armed home invasion and subsequent arrests highlight the escalating challenges posed by organized criminal groups like Tren de Aragua. While the city takes decisive action to close down problem properties, law enforcement remains focused on ensuring the safety of residents and holding perpetrators accountable.

The investigation into the Tuesday morning incident is ongoing, and authorities have promised to share additional details as they become available. For now, the community awaits further updates while grappling with the aftermath of yet another violent event at the troubled apartment complex.