Police to evacuate apartments ‘overrun’ by Venezuelan gangs – DNyuz

Police in Colorado are evacuating an apartment complex that was “overrun” by Venezuelan gangs after the mayor said he would seek an emergency court order to rid the buildings of organized criminal activity.

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman announced Friday that the District Attorney’s Office will seek legal assistance to have the properties classified as criminal nuisance.

It comes after footage emerged online of the mob storming the apartment complex. Former President Donald Trump said at a campaign rally on Friday that the city had been “overwhelmed”.

“This would require a municipal judge to issue an injunction for the purpose of getting these properties back under the control of the owners,” Coffman said in a Facebook post.

“I strongly believe the best course of action is to close these (buildings) and ensure this never happens again,” he said on social media.

Footage has emerged on social media showing men carrying assault rifles walking up a flight of stairs and then smashing down the doors of The Edge at Lowry apartment complex.

The men are believed to belong to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), which was active in the area.

The group focuses on human trafficking and other forms of abuse targeting vulnerable migrants, and is accused of trafficking women and girls for sexual exploitation.

TdA originated as a prison gang in Aragua, Venezuela, but has expanded rapidly in recent years, according to the U.S. State Department.

Aurora Police Interim Chief Heather Morris said in a statement Friday that “gang members have not taken over the complex.”

“I’m not saying there aren’t gang members that don’t live in this community,” Morris said. “But what we’re learning here is that gang members have not taken over this complex.”

Aurora Police Department Interim Chief Morris said officers have been in the area and at the complex gathering information from residents. She noted that officers have found that there is “certainly a different picture” of what is happening.

Morris said local authorities have “really made an effort” in recent days to ask specific questions about gang activity in the area and at the complex.

“Making sure that people don’t pay rent to gang leaders or gang members,” she said.

According to Morris, the residents she spoke to have assured her that this is not happening and she believes they are being honest.

“We’re standing here, and I can tell you that gang members have not taken over this complex.”

Aurora police said Thursday that a task force has been formed to address concerns about migrant criminal activity in the area.

“We are aware that elements of TdA are active in Aurora. APD is continuing to gather evidence that the gang has ties to crimes in the area,” the department said.

In July, a man was arrested in connection with a shooting in Aurora. He was a known member of the TdA, Aurora police said.

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The story Police to evacuate apartments ‘overrun’ by Venezuelan gangs first appeared on Newsweek.