Video shows break-in attempts at Aurora apartment complex amid violence reports
AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) — FOX31 has obtained more videos of people allegedly breaking into an apartment complex in Aurora, which one city leader claims has been overrun by Venezuelan gangs.
The new video shows three different groups of people forcing a door open in July at The Edge at Lowry apartment complex at East 12th Avenue and Dallas Street.
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People who live at the complex claim a number of migrants are taking over the units and then illegally subleasing them to other migrants.
The latest video comes on the heels of two other videos FOX31 reported on Wednesday which show groups of people carrying guns and using a tool to force a door open. The video was captured by a surveillance camera set up by a couple, who have since moved out of the building.
Another new piece of video shows what appears to be a man in a parking lot yelling in Spanish. He’s shouting at a person and telling them to get out of the car at the complex.
Issues unfold at CBZ Management apartment properties
People who live at The Edge at Lowry say these problems started when migrants began moving in.
“The gang activity, you can see from the damage of property it’s just gotten way out of hand,” former resident Cindy Romero said.
Romero said even before she and her husband finished moving their things out, migrants were illegally taking over her unit.
FOX31 is looking into how this type of scenario could unfold at three different apartment complexes managed by the same company, CBZ Management. Three apartment complexes began making headlines this month after a series of reported crimes and an abatement process that shut down one of the properties.
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The apartment management claimed the abatement at one complex happened because of Venezuelan gang crimes, while the city of Aurora says it was because of longstanding unresolved code violations. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman even called the property owners “slumlords.”
FOX31 spoke with one of the complex owners who said the company had been trying to get help with the crime and gang problems for months. But that help never came, and problems at the complex continued to grow worse.
The stories have ignited more heated discussions on immigration reform and so-called “sanctuary” cities.
Aurora’s mayor responds
Aurora’s mayor on Thursday said while it’s not been confirmed that Venezuelan gangs are here, he believes they are.
“I think we know that these gang elements are attracted to concentrations of Venezuelan migrants. Unfortunately, some of these criminal elements have come up with the migrants,” Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said.
Various residents tell FOX31 they tried to get help to stop the gang activity, but it just kept getting worse.
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Aurora Council Member Danielle Jurinsky said extreme law enforcement measures need to be taken to weed criminals from the complexes.
“You know, the DEA put out a statement that there are tattoos, there are different ways to identify these folks. (They should) swarm it. Absolutely,” Jurinsky said.
Coffman called the gangs an “enemy force” that law enforcement is now actively investigating.
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