Gangs in Aurora, Colorado: Police visit The Edge at Lowry and patrol areas of suspected activity by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua

AURORA, Colorado – In Aurora, Colorado, concern is growing about the presence of a Venezuelan gang.

There are reports that members of the Tren de Aragua gang have occupied a residential complex in the city. Police have not confirmed these claims.

A video circulating on social media shows a group of men attempting to break into a residential unit on Sunday, August 18.

The surveillance camera footage of local resident Edward Romero shows several men armed with firearms in front of a door, two of whom apparently want to force the door open.

Romero told reporters the video was taken shortly before a shooting at the apartment complex. Romero also said he has moved out since the incident.

In the apartment complex called “The Edge at Lowry,” neighbors had already complained about a huge pile of garbage and alleged criminal activities.

The alleged gang activities are causing problems for migrants in the area.

They claim the gang is ruining the reputations of immigrants who are not causing trouble and are simply trying to build a life for themselves here in the United States.

Their advocacy groups say the migrants are trying to find housing and work, but some in the community are unwilling to help for fear they might be part of a gang.

Officers from the Aurora Police Department are proactively patrolling areas where Tren de Aragua activity is suspected.

On Sunday, Interim Chief Heather Morris and several officers contacted residents of The Edge at Lowry apartments to reassure them, inform them of current criminal activity in the area and learn about living conditions in the complex.

“I passed by here on 12th and Dallas sent some of our officers here who are here tonight. I've been here for several weeks now, connecting with our residents to reassure them about the criminal activity here and explain to them how we're going to address it. We're here to reassure the people of this community that we're actively investigating the criminal activity here and listening to them so we can learn anything that we're missing,” Morris said. “You know, what we're missing and how we can find out what exactly is going on. We're here because we care. I mean, nobody, nobody should wear this uniform if they don't care. And we want the residents and the people that live here to know that we care. We've been talking to the residents here and learning from them to find out what exactly is going on. And it's definitely a different picture.”

Morris continued, “I'm not saying there aren't gang members in this community, but what we're learning here is that this complex has not been taken over by gang members. We've really made an effort over the last few days to ask the specific or direct questions about gang activity and to ask who is actually making sure that people aren't paying rent to gang leaders or gang members, that that's not happening. And we've learned today and yesterday in talking to so many residents here that that's not the case that we've been talking about, and they meant it. We really believe they mean it, and we stand here, and I can tell you that this complex has not been taken over by gang members.”

Storyful contributed to this report.

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