Parts of Aurora, Colorado, have gained national attention as a hotbed for the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, illustrating the dangers posed by unchecked criminal activity.
According to a report from the New York Post, the gang has taken over deteriorating apartment complexes in this small suburban town, sparking concern among residents and highlighting broader issues with illegal immigration.
The gang’s presence in Aurora became widely known after a video showing suspected members roaming an apartment complex with guns went viral online. During a recent debate, Donald Trump pointed to Aurora as an example of the Biden-Harris administration’s weak border policies.
The gang has reportedly been using run-down apartment complexes as a base for their operations. One resident, Jessica Montenegro, and her family were forced to flee their home due to the escalating violence and crime that followed the gang’s arrival. “We were scared to stay there, and we knew it was gonna get worse,” Montenegro told the outlet.
While local officials have downplayed the gang’s influence, it’s been revealed that a gang leader known as “Cookie,” or “Galleta” in Spanish, operates in Aurora. On Wednesday, police identified and arrested 10 suspected gang members involved in various crimes throughout the city.
Montenegro recounted a terrifying encounter at the Edge at Lowry complex when a man with a gun attempted to force his way into her home, prompting her family to leave. District Attorney John Kellner, who oversees much of the Aurora suburbs, emphasized the fallout from failed immigration policies: “We are not a border state, but we’re dealing with the consequences and doing our best to keep our citizens and immigrants safe.”
Jhonardy Jose Pacheco-Chirinos, the leader of the Tren de Aragua in Aurora, and his brother Jhonnarty were arrested for their involvement in a violent attack at an Aurora complex, as well as a shooting that injured two men. Despite prior arrests, Pacheco-Chirinos had been released on bond and continued his criminal activities.
According to a local landlord, the gang exploited vacancies in apartment complexes, moving in and taking over units while intimidating maintenance workers and staff. The city has since shuttered two apartment complexes, forcing the owner to relinquish control due to the gang’s takeover.
The gang’s activities are not limited to Aurora. In late August, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office busted gang members at Ivy Crossing apartments, seizing counterfeit pills, ketamine, and a stolen car. Residents in the area are living in fear of retribution from the gang, with many incidents going unreported. One resident told the Post that despite making numerous calls to the police about gunshots and disturbances, they received no response, leaving him feeling “totally helpless.”
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly criticized the Aurora police department’s response to the gang issue, saying, “They need somebody who is willing to go in there, straighten out the mess, be committed to the community, and solve crime. It’s been a mess.”