An identified Torren de Aragua (TdA) gang member has been arrested on suspicion of recruiting students from two Houston middle schools to become members of the gang.
Yorgenis Robertson Coba, an illegal alien from Venezuela, entered the United States two years ago, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The 32-year-old man was arrested on Monday on a series of theft charges.
Coba also reportedly recruited middle school students from Jane Long Academy and Las Americas, which are part of the Houston Independent School District.
One resident of the Bellaire area of Houston, where both schools are located, said: FOX 26 Houston “There are a lot of things happening that are in the news, so if it's happening elsewhere, it could be happening in our neighborhood and we're not aware of it. .”
Torren de Aragua gang member, illegal Venezuelan immigrant, arrested in Houston
Jorgenis Robertson Coba, 32, was arrested this week on suspicion of recruiting Torren de Aragua students from Houston middle schools. (KRIV)
Residents are warning of the presence of multinational gangs in the area. Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua has an estimated 5,000 members between Venezuela and the United States. These are related to drug crimes and human trafficking crimes in both countries.
Venezuelan Torren de Aragua gang member arrested in New York two years after Border Patrol release
Cova also has tattoos of a clock, a pentagram, and a rose on his arm, confirming his identity as a member of Torren de Aragua. TdA's signature tattoos also include a star, an AK-47, and a train, a nod to the Spanish word “tren.”
“Koba was arrested in late September after DPS special agents assigned to the Houston Texas Anti-Gang Center (TAG) were notified of a suspected TdA member in the Houston area. was identified as Koba and was scheduled to be arrested.'' An asylum hearing will be held in Houston on October 7.'' Texas DPS mentioned in this week's release.
An infographic shared by the NYPD depicting known Torren de Aragua tattoos. (New York City Police Department Intelligence Division)
Hispanic and Latino residents in the Houston area are feeling nervous about the recent uptick in torren de Aragua activity.
“As Hispanics, we pay all the price. They treat us like delinquents, like we're bad people. And unfortunately, that's because our own people give us a bad name. Because we're giving,'' one resident told FOX 26 in Spanish. Houston.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a $5,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the identification and arrest of those involved in Tren de Aragua in the Lone Star State.
