Aurora police say gang activity ‘isolated’ as Denver police deny apartment takeovers

DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Police Department said in a statement Wednesday that it was “not aware” of any Denver apartment buildings being taken over by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Despite this, the department stated that it takes the presence of the gang in the city seriously and that the safety of residents and officers is its “top priority.”

“There are reasons to believe that members of this gang are tied to crimes in the area,” the statement said. “However, DPD is not aware of any apartment buildings being ‘taken over’ by this gang in Denver.”

The Aurora Police Department also responded to the situation and said they are “aware that components” of the gang are operating in the city, and are gathering evidence to connect it to crimes.

APD did say, however, that it believes reports of influence in Aurora are “isolated.”

Officials respond to concerns

Law enforcement linked the gang to a violent jewelry store heist that happened in Denver on June 24. Four Venezuelan nationals have been indicted in connection to the crime.

The same gang also triggered a law enforcement safety bulletin that warned police in Denver that members had been “given a green light to fire or attack law enforcement.”

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston spoke to FOX31 about the situation in early August. He said the city was watching the situation “very closely” and he had been in contact with Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas about concerns and potential options.

Task force created in Aurora

Denver is not the only city that has addressed people’s concerns about the gang’s presence in the area.

On Aug. 19, the Aurora Police Department announced that it would join forces with the Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for a special task force to address concerns about the Tren de Aragua gang.

Aurora police, Colorado agencies create gang violence task force

Police said the task force’s main goal would be assisting agencies around the area and maximizing resources through sharing intelligence in ongoing investigations.

On Wednesday, the department reiterated that it is working with other agencies but that “it would be improper” for the city or APD to make any statements on specific incidents or law enforcement strategies.

While Denver has not stated outright that it was joining any specific task force, it said that it “continues actively investigating” the gang alongside its law enforcement partners in the area.

Apartment takeover accusations in Aurora

The city of Aurora closed the Fitzsimons apartment complex off Colfax Avenue and Nome Street on Aug. 13 and said dozens of code violations were to blame.

CBZ Management, the company that operated the building, told FOX31 that they had not been able to conduct maintenance or repairs because the complex had been overrun by gang activity.

Neighbors say they are dealing with aftermath of Aurora complex shutdown

However, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said that was misleading, and that the problem preceded “any problems with Venezuelan gangs” and even the migrant crisis at large.

Police: ‘Community can assist’ with efforts

Denver police said the community can assist the department’s efforts by submitting tips through Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

People can remain anonymous when submitting tips. Denver police also urged officers not to ask witnesses or victims of crime about their immigration status in order to remove any potential barrier to reporting.

The Aurora Police Department urged people to “not remain silent victims” and to report crimes to local law enforcement agencies.

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