Tren de Aragua gang members charged after months of allegedly terrorizing people

Nine suspected members of the 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 received widespread national media attention due to allegations that it had been taken over by the Venezuelan gang earlier this year.

The Aurora, Colorado Police Department announced the nine arrests Monday in the 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 Parada, 24
• Jesus Alberto Alejos Escalona, ​​22
• Junior Reyes-Barrios, 28
• Barbara Sivle Medina-Arcaya, 29
• Donarky’s Teresa Suarez-Quesada, 31
• Luigi Javier Soto-Sucre, 26
• Niefred Jose Serpa-Acosta, 20
• Jengrinso Elias Loreto-Petit, 26

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Alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang have taken over an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado, and are charging rent in exchange for “protection,” earlier reports say. (Edward Romero)

The suspects face various charges, including second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, aggravated robbery, second-degree burglary, extortion and menacing, the department said.

Serpa-Acosta was previously wanted on an active felony warrant for first-degree burglary and threats with a deadly weapon, police said. His warrant stemmed from Aug. 18, 2024, when a security camera captured Serpa-Acosta and five other gunmen knocking on apartment doors at The Edge at Lowry about 10 minutes before a fatal shooting.

In addition to the above-mentioned charges, the department said it has obtained arrest warrants for three additional suspects who are not yet in custody.

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The charges against the suspected gang members come after a wild saga on December 17, 2024 at approximately 02.30

The gang members allegedly forced their way into a couple’s apartment at the Edge at Lowry Apartments in Denver suburbs and bound, beat, stabbed and kidnapped the victims and left them hospitalized. The perpetrators also allegedly stole jewelery from the victims.

General view of apartment buildings at 12th and Dallas in Aurora, Colorado on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. The residences were the scene of a reported overnight home invasion. (Fox News Digital)

A total of 19 suspects were initially apprehended in connection with the kidnapping, which the authorities have previously described as “rogue”.

Three people were subsequently released after being interviewed by investigators and it was determined that they were not involved in the crime, police said.

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The remaining 16 suspects were detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The 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 press conference in Aurora, Colo., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. Chief Chamberlain told reporters that an overnight home invasion that resulted in 14 arrests is believed to be a “gang incident.” (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

“I would say without a doubt, in my opinion, it is TdA activity. Some of these individuals have been identified as TdA gang members,” said Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain at the beginning of the investigation. “This is something that we are working very closely with our partners in HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) and DHS (Homeland Security) ) to establish their relationship with gangs.”

Chamberlain said authorities don’t have much of a way to confirm a suspect is a member of the TdA, since gang members typically don’t broadcast 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 surrounding this, when you look at the events of this, when you look at the people involved in this, when you look at the truth and the violence involved in this, again, then it’s not a big leap for me to say they’re TdA gang members,” he said

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According to Chamberlain, this was not an isolated incident. He said the TdA members and their affiliates regularly abused the couple and blackmailed them for $500 every two weeks. He believes that the couple were not the only victims who were intimidated and blackmailed by the gang members.

Aurora police prepare to search supplies that an emergency worker in Aurora, Colo., gave her to her on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. The residences were the scene of a reported overnight home invasion. (Fox News Digital) (Fox News Digital)

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The investigation into the December 17, 2024 kidnapping 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.