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AURORA, Colo.(BFMG) — Sixteen Venezuelan nationals, all suspected of being members or associates of the Tren de Aragua gang, are in custody following a violent home invasion early Tuesday morning at the Edge of Lowry Apartments, according to the Aurora Police Department.
The incident began shortly before 2:30 a.m. when multiple suspects entered an apartment and forcibly relocated two occupants to another unit within the same complex. Police say the victims were threatened, beaten, pistol-whipped, and tied up. One man was stabbed during the ordeal, an act Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain described as “torture.”
The suspects later released the victims, who then called 911. Officers arriving on the scene detained 14 individuals for questioning. By Wednesday afternoon, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson confirmed that 16 suspects had been taken into custody, all linked to the notorious Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan prison gang.
Gang Activity and Ongoing Concerns
Chief Chamberlain suggested the attack may have been gang-related but stopped short of definitively tying the incident to the Tren de Aragua gang. “It’s not about their documentation status… It’s about the fact that they are causing crime, they are victimizing people and they are going to be held accountable,” Chamberlain said during a press briefing Tuesday.
The stabbing victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries, but the attack has amplified concerns about gang-related violence at the Edge of Lowry complex, which has been under scrutiny for months.
The City of Aurora Police identified several known members of the gang operating in Metro Denver and told the Denver Gazette the gang’s activities also “significantly affected” apartment complexes in the city, officials acknowledged.
Gang Activity and Ongoing Concerns
The Edge of Lowry Apartments gained national attention earlier this year when a video captured armed men entering a unit at the complex on Aug. 18, minutes before 25-year-old Oswaldo Jose Dabion Araujo was fatally shot. The incident fueled claims that the complex had become a hub for Venezuelan gang activity.
In September, Aurora police deemed the Edge of Lowry and another apartment complex as “criminal nuisances” over escalating safety concerns, including reports of gang violence and the site’s deteriorating condition. CBZ Management, the property owner, claimed that gang members hindered repair efforts, making it unsafe for employees to access the property.
Closure Plans and Tenant Uncertainty
Earlier this month, CBZ Management and the City of Aurora agreed to temporarily close the 60-unit complex for safety and repairs. However, inspection records reveal a history of violations dating back to 2020, including mice infestations, structural damage, and parking lot issues, long predating the influx of Venezuelan immigrants in the Denver metro area.
While the exact closure date remains unclear, city officials have assured residents they will receive at least 30 days’ notice before being displaced. The next court hearing on the matter is scheduled for mid-January, with closure unlikely before mid-February at the earliest.
Community Impact
The violence and subsequent arrests underscore the challenges faced by residents at the Edge of Lowry. As authorities continue their investigation into the home invasion, city leaders and law enforcement are grappling with the broader implications of gang activity and the safety of Aurora’s vulnerable communities.
