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Aurora Police Respond to Concerns About Venezuelan Gang in Colorado
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Aurora Police Respond to Concerns About Venezuelan Gang in Colorado

AURORA, Colo. (KKTV) – Several 11 News viewers have reached out to ask if they would like to report on Venezuelan gang activity in Colorado.

11 News does not have permission to share a video that is circulating on social media, but our news partner CBS Colorado spoke with a woman who lives in an apartment complex and has video of armed men walking through an apartment building and knocking on doors. A city council member tells CBS Colorado that the gunmen are part of a Venezuelan gang. Click here to watch the video and more CBS Colorado reporting.

The Aurora Police Department responded to community concerns about the activity with a social media post on August 28:

“The City and Aurora Police Department, as previously stated, have established a special task force in collaboration with other local, state, and federal partners to specifically address concerns about the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) and other criminal activity affecting immigrant communities. We are grateful that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a valuable federal partner, has recognized their continued work on TdA in the metro area and appreciate the additional resources they are providing to combat this problem. #APDNews

We are aware that elements of TdA are active in Aurora. APD is gathering more and more evidence to show that the gang has ties to crimes in the area. However, as we have stated previously and as the DEA has also stated, it would be inappropriate at this time for the city and APD to draw conclusions about specific incidents or provide details about law enforcement strategy and operations.

Based on our initial investigative work, we believe that reports of TdA influence in Aurora are isolated. We urge all community members, including members of our immigrant communities, to report crimes committed against them to their local law enforcement agencies and not remain silent victims. Victims of crimes can report crimes anonymously by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).

As always, information is subject to change as investigations at the local, state and federal levels continue.”

The woman CBS Colorado spoke to, Cindy Romero, who lives in the apartment complex, says she survived the ordeal by staying quiet and giving residents food and bedbug spray.

The apartment complex is located on the corner of 12th Avenue and Dallas Street.

Romero installed multiple cameras that captured weeks of violent activity. The doorbell video shows a group of armed men forcing their way into her neighbor’s home. Another night, her camera outside captured two men approaching a vehicle with guns drawn.

Click here for the full CBS Colorado story.