AURORA | Aurora police and federal immigration agents say two suspected Venezuelan gang members accused of breaking into Aurora apartments and robbing residents have been arrested in New York.
Police say Edilson Pena-Angulo, 25, and Danyeer Aramillo-Meneses, 23, were arrested recently during a New York City police operation coordinated with a special Aurora police task force.
Federal officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement said both men are in the country illegally and are linked to the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, as first reported by the Denver Post.
The two men were among others depicted in a northwest Aurora apartment security video knocking on an apartment door minutes before a fatal shooting occurred outside the apartment.
The viral video set off a firestorm of controversy, especially after local and national far-right media televised it. The video and other local incidents prompted Aurora Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky to make repeated claims, disputed by police and city officials, that the apartment complex and others were overrun by members of the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly amplified and exaggerated the claims, saying that all of Aurora is overrun by the gang members.
Aurora police say the New York arrests in a Bronx borough were the result of an “extensive investigation” by detectives part of a new, special task force dubbed Operation Safe Haven, according to a statement released Wednesday by police.
The task force focuses on crimes committed against and by immigrants.
City officials said the two men were wanted by police on warrants connected to first-degree burglary and menacing with a firearm, both felonies.
Operation Safe Haven investigators say they have positively identified and obtained arrest warrants for all six suspects depicted in the video. Three of the men are now in custody.
Suspects in custody include, Naudi Lopez-Fernandez, Edilson Yoel Pena-Angulo and Danyeer Aramillo-Meneses.
Suspects still at large include Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, Niefred Jose Serpa-Acosta and Adan Jose Ramirez-Sanchez.
Aurora police say their investigation has led them to believe the three at-large suspects have fled the region.
“The arrests last week were the product of nothing other than the dedication of the city of Aurora’s officers and detectives, and our positive working relationships with local, state and federal partners throughout the country,” Aurora police Chief Todd Chamberlain said in a statement. “We will continue our unwavering pursuit of all the remaining suspects in this case, and anyone else who victimizes members of our community, until they are brought to justice.”
In addition to the two arrests, New York police said the investigation netted five firearms.
Aurora police have requested the guns to see if any are connected to crimes in the Aurora region.
Trump cannot get started soon enough to clean up this mess.
interesting. Now, do we try them? If convicted do we incarcerate them and pay for them here or deport them (and let them re enter again?)
These gang members are reasons enough to rework the entire immigration system. Orderly entrance at approved ports of entry, pre-arranged sponsors, and quick processing would all curb this chaotic mess. Sure hope comprehensive reform happens in 2025!
I’ve read the comments left. First, the APD deserves credit for using the regional and national networks to apprehend these criminals. Second, this is a small group of people compared to the majority of immigrants willing to do hard work and earn the right to one day be good American citizens. We need to remember this! I lived in Houston for 20 years. There are a ton of hard-working immigrants there who work at tough jobs, like roofing and mowing in 90+° weather, and they are the vast majority!
Step 2–“Okay, it’s happening, but it’s not that bad.”
You have to think of all of the other folks involved in moving and protecting these criminals across the country. It’s absurd of that pipelines size allowing the avoidance of detection to last this long. These local Colo politicians and their continued push of “sanctuary city” policy — so proudly unwilling to recognize this situation. These illegals had safe houses moving them no- worries to their destination. Truly amazing!