Venezuelan gang causes alarm in metro Denver

Two Aurora elected officials say Venezuelan gangs are taking over apartment buildings, but local police haven’t confirmed those claims, instead describing the gang’s influence in the area as “isolated.” Why it matters: The local presence of a gang known for human smuggling and money laundering raises concerns about the safety of residents and newly arrived migrants from Venezuela, most of whom have no connection to criminal activity. Driving the news: Aurora City Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky, a Republican, told Axios building residents and Aurora police officers have told her Tren de Aragua has taken over at least four apartment complexes in Aurora.

• Jurinsky said she’s helped three residents move out of complexes and said five other people have shared stories about the gang’s activity, which she said includes shootouts.

The latest: Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, a Republican, on Thursday told FOX News in an interview some apartment buildings have “fallen” to gangs, though he did not specify which criminal organizations. Yes, but: Aurora and Denver police on Wednesday said they’re aware of Tren de Aragua’s presence in the Denver metro and have tied the gang to some local, unspecified crimes.

• Aurora police said gang members’ influence is “isolated,” but didn’t elaborate. Denver police said they’re unaware of any apartment buildings being “taken over” by Tren de Aragua in the city.

What she’s saying: “It’s not an isolated incident,” Jurinsky told us. Driving the news: KDVR on Wednesday obtained footage of armed men approaching a unit at an Aurora apartment complex — but didn’t confirm whether the men were gang members or Venezuelan.

• The incident happened at the Edge at Lowry apartment complex in Aurora.

• Jurinsky said the video proves the gang’s presence.

Zoom in: Aurora Police — which just welcomed a new chief — last week established a task force with local, state and federal partners, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, focusing on Tren de Aragua.

• APD said it’s not commenting on “specific incidents” or providing details about how its officers are operating or strategizing in response to gang activity.

Flashback: Aurora city councilmembers, including Jurinsky, suggested earlier this month that gang activity prompted the closure of the Aspen Grove apartments in northwest Aurora. The city condemned that complex due to health and safety violations.

• The building’s owner told the Sentinel that unchecked gang activity led to its closure.

Zoom out: Tren de Aragua started as a prison gang in Aragua, Venezuela, before spreading in Latin America to become a transnational organization.