Nine suspected members of the Venezuelan prison gang Torren de Aragua (TdA) have been indicted following a violent home invasion, kidnapping and robbery in Aurora, Colorado in December.
The apartment complex received national media attention earlier this year for claims it had been taken over by Venezuelan gangs.
Police in Aurora, Colorado, announced Monday that they have arrested nine people in an armed home invasion and kidnapping incident that left two victims with serious injuries.
The nine suspects were identified as:
- Andres Alexander Riendo Padilla, 26 years old
- Javier Alexander Alvarado Parada, 24 years old
- Jesus Alberto Alejos Escalona, 22 years old
- Junior Reyes Barrios, 28 years old
- Barbara Sible Medina-Arcaya, 29 years old
- Donarchis Teresa Suarez-Quesada, 31 years old
- Luigi Javier Soto-Sucre, 26 years old
- Nifred Jose Serpa-Acosta, 20 years old
- Jenrinso Elias Loreto-Petit, 26 years old
Aurora, Colorado police declare gang activity in Torren de Aragua a 'no questions asked' home invasion.
According to previous reports, alleged members of the Torren de Aragua gang took over an apartment in Aurora, Colorado and demanded rent in exchange for “protection.” (Edward Romero)
The suspects face a variety of charges including second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, aggravated robbery, second-degree robbery, extortion and menacing, the department said.
Serpa Acosta was previously wanted on active felony warrants for first-degree robbery and menacing with a deadly weapon, police said. His warrant alleges that on Aug. 18, 2024, about 10 minutes before the fatal shooting, security cameras showed Serpa Acosta and five other armed men opening the door of an apartment at The Edge at Raleigh. This video showed him knocking.
In addition to the charges listed above, police announced that they have obtained arrest warrants for three additional suspects who are not yet in custody.
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The charges against the suspected gang members come after the brutal incident on December 17, 2024 at approximately 2:30 a.m.
The gang members allegedly broke into the couple's apartment at the Edge at Raleigh Apartments. suburban denver He then tied up the victim, beat him, stabbed him, kidnapped him, and hospitalized him. The assailants also allegedly stole jewelry from the victim.
An overview of the apartment complex at 12th and Dallas in Aurora, Colorado on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. These residences were the scene of a reported home invasion overnight. (Fox News Digital)
A total of 19 suspects were initially arrested in connection with the kidnapping, which authorities previously described as a “tortuous” story.
According to police, the three were later interviewed by investigative authorities and released, and it was determined that they were not involved in the crime.
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The remaining 16 suspects are in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Seven additional suspects who have not yet been charged are in ICE custody and remain under investigation, police said.
Aurora Police Department Chief Todd Chamberlain speaks to the media during a press conference Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Aurora, Colorado. Chief Chamberlain told reporters that the overnight home invasion in which 14 people were arrested is believed to be a “gang incident.” (Derek Schock, FOX News Digital)
“In my opinion, this is definitely the case. TdA activity. “Some of these individuals have been identified as TdA gang members, and we are working very closely with our partners at HSI on this,” Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said at the beginning of the investigation. ” he said. [Homeland Security Investigations] and D.H.S. [Homeland Security] This is to build relationships with gangs. ”
Chamberlain said authorities have little way to confirm that a suspect is a member of TdA because gang members typically do not disclose their affiliation.
“It's really difficult to try to say, 'Hey, you're 100 percent a gang member,'” he said. “But when you look at this situation, the events of this incident, the individuals involved in this, and the veracity and violence that was involved in this, again, this is not a big deal if they are members of the TdA gang.” “It's a step towards me saying there is,” he said.
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According to Chamberlain, this was not an isolated incident. He said TdA members and their affiliates regularly abused the couple, extorting them for $500 every two weeks. He believes the couple is not the only victim of intimidation and extortion by gang members.
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, Aurora police prepare to search a shipment of supplies given to them by relief worker Aurora in Aurora, Colorado. These residences were the scene of a reported overnight home invasion. (Fox News Digital) (Fox News Digital)
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The investigation into the December 17, 2024 kidnapping remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and potentially win up to $2,000.
