A dangerous Venezuelan street gang, Tren de Aragua (TDA), has reportedly issued a “green light” order to attack and kill police officers in Denver, according to federal authorities.
This alarming development has put law enforcement agencies across the country on high alert, as reported by the New York Post.
The Colorado Information Analysis Center released a bulletin warning of the potential threat. The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) in New Mexico received information from federal partners about TDA members in Denver being encouraged to target law enforcement officers.
The Denver Police Department (DPD) acknowledged the warning, stating, “DPD is monitoring and making officers aware of the safety concerns shared by our law enforcement partners.” However, the APD declined to confirm the reports, citing potential risks to ongoing investigations and officer safety.
TDA, notorious for its involvement in extortion, kidnapping, murder, and sex trafficking, has been attempting to establish a presence in the United States, as highlighted by Fox News. Some members have gained notoriety after crossing the southern border illegally. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens previously warned about the gang’s growing threat, stating, “Keep your eye on this gang. Their criminal activities represent a serious threat to our communities!”
Federal authorities are actively working to combat TDA’s influence. The gang recently gained additional attention when it was revealed that the brother of the suspect in the killing of Georgia student Laken Riley had ties to TDA. Both individuals were identified as Venezuelan illegal immigrants.
This trend of illegal immigrants attacking police officers is not limited to Denver. A chaotic scene unfolded near Times Square on Sunday evening when two illegal immigrants were arrested following a violent altercation with police officers.
The incident, which occurred just before 10 PM outside the Row Hotel on 8th Avenue and 45th Street, left one officer bitten and another assaulted with a moped. The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Brian Joseph and 19-year-old Jose Gonzalez, were released without bail despite facing charges of assault and assault on a police officer.
Many officers expressed concern over what they see as a dangerous precedent. According to the Post, the altercation began when officers approached Gonzalez, who was riding his moped erratically.
When asked for identification, Gonzalez failed to produce any, leading to a scuffle. Joseph allegedly bit one officer during the struggle, while Gonzalez reportedly used his moped to attack another. A third suspect, who also allegedly assaulted officers, managed to escape and is currently being sought by authorities.
The release of Joseph and Gonzalez without bail has sparked outrage within the New York Police Department. One officer stated, “They just gave the green light for an open war on cops,” expressing frustration with the decision to release the suspects and warning of potential escalation of violence against law enforcement.
“Today they bite and kick a cop, and tomorrow they take a shot at cops,” the officer warned. “If there are no consequences, they are only encouraging people to attack cops.”
Another officer echoed these sentiments, questioning the message being sent to the public. “They are basically saying anyone in a blue uniform is a human piñata,” the officer told the Post.
The sentiment reflects a broader concern among law enforcement that lenient bail policies could lead to increased violence against officers.
Al Baker, spokesperson for the New York State Office of Court Administration, declined to comment on the specific case of Joseph and Gonzalez but noted that judges in New York have discretion in bail decisions. “In cases like these in New York, Judges have discretion in making bail decisions in accordance with the law and based solely on an individualized assessment of a defendant’s risk of flight,” Baker stated.
This discretion has been a contentious point, with critics arguing that it sometimes leads to potentially dangerous individuals being released back into the community.
As the investigation continues, the NYPD is still searching for the third suspect involved in the incident.
Joseph and Gonzalez have been ordered to appear in court again in September. The case has ignited a debate over the treatment of illegal immigrants in the justice system and the broader implications for public safety.