The Venezuelan prison gang Torren de Aragua has now spread to one of the most remote states in the United States after an alleged member was arrested on felony theft charges last month.
Local authorities in West Fargo, North Dakota, arrested gang member Henry Tice, 25, in early November, according to the Cass County Jail roster.
The gang made national headlines in 2023 after reports that members of the group held gang meetings. Hostage in an apartment in Aurora, Coloradohas now expanded to more than a dozen U.S. states.
Venezuelan national and Torren de Aragua gang member arrested in President Trump's backyard
“Tren de Aragua currently has a presence in 17 states,” said Rep. Troy E. Neals, R-Texas. Posted in X. “I look forward to working with President Trump to secure our borders and restore safety to our communities.”
West Fargo has a population of less than 40,000 people, making North Dakota itself one of the least populated states in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The origins of Torren de Aragua, which means “train from Aragua,” date back more than a decade to a prison in Venezuela.
Venezuelan gang members arrested in southern state this week, authorities warn of resurgence in Torren de Aragua
Alleged members of the Torren de Aragua gang occupied an apartment in Aurora, Colorado, demanding rent in exchange for “protection.” (Edward Romero, left, Aurora Police Department)
Police initially arrested Tice, who was driving without headlights on, but a search of his vehicle soon revealed more than $24,000 in cash, a face mask, and latex allegedly stolen from a nearby bank. They found gloves, cables and a computer keyboard. According to KXLG.
According to the report, Theis admitted to being part of a hacker ring that used viruses to steal cash and “jackpot” ATMs, court documents said.
Two other suspects were arrested, bringing the total theft to nearly $100,000. According to local newspaper reports, Tis provided the names of other people involved, including Jefferson Rodriguez Quintero and River Sanchez, who were also arrested.
Another Venezuelan suspected of being a member of the Torren de Aragua gang was recently arrested near President-elect Trump's Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.
“U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a Venezuelan national identified as a member of the Torren de Aragua gang,” U.S. Border Patrol Miami District Patrol Chief Jeffrey Diniz wrote on Tuesday X.
Heritage Report presents roadmap to defeat Torren de Aragua, the mega gang that is taking over the city
These images from the information bulletin of the Kasumuz Border Guard Agency show Torren de Aragua's tattoo and identity. (ice)
Violent crimes committed by Torren de Aragua members have spread across the country and are linked to the high-profile murder of a nursing student. Laken Riley Resident of Georgia, 12 years old Jocelyn Nangaray In Houston.
Click to get the FOX News app
In addition to North Dakota, the gang has locations in Colorado, Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The company recently expanded to include locations in Virginia, Montana, and Wyoming. , according to New York Post coverage It cites a Department of Homeland Security memo.
