AURORA | Police say a recent brutal attack on immigrants at an apartment complex led to an extortion ring raid, prompting immigrant rights groups to question the legality of police working with ICE and immigration agencies.
“APD and ICE’s willingness to handcuff and interrogate minors, while separating them from their parents and ignoring their requests for a parent to be present, is a direct attack to the wellbeing of our youth and a clear violation of the laws that are meant to keep them safe,” Tania Chairez, CEO of Convivir Colorado said in a statement. “No child should have to experience this long-lasting harm. We will not stand for this injustice.”
The raid and allegations followed a violent attack on Dec. 16, during which a couple was abducted, bound and tortured in a vacant apartment. The attack is part of a broader pattern of criminal activity that included extortion, robbery and intimidation of residents within the complex, police said.
New information released Friday made clear that the attack was not a random “home invasion” as first reported, but an act of violence and revenge linked to a recent fight and recording incident among building tenants.
The Edge of Lowry apartment complex at East 12th Avenue and Dallas Street has drawn national attention after a viral video, gang involvement, crime and negligence from the property management company.
Aurora police and city officials have steadfastly insisted that mismanagement by the building’s owners created a wide range of health and public safety issues, including crime problems. At the same time, Mayor Mike Coffman, Police Chief Todd Chamberlain and others insist crime problems, and in particular problems with Venezuelan gang members of Tren de Aragua, are limited and have been exaggerated by some officials.
On Friday, Chamberlain confirmed the involvement of suspects linked to Tren de Aragua.
“Without question, it is gang crime,” Chamberlain said, adding that while it’s challenging to identify all suspects as members of a specific gang, in his opinion, they are likely affiliated with TdA.
Police said this is a hidden compartment inside an apartment where suspects were raided, linked to crimes at the Edge of Lowry apartment complex. PHOTO VIA AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT 
Weapons confiscated from suspects during a police raid at the Edge of Lowry apartment complex, PHOTO VIA AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT 
Weapons confiscated from suspects during a police raid at the Edge of Lowry apartment complex, PHOTO VIA AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT 
Weapons confiscated from suspects during a police raid at the Edge of Lowry apartment complex, PHOTO VIA AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT 
Weapons confiscated from suspects during a police raid at the Edge of Lowry apartment complex, PHOTO VIA AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT
The newest trouble at the apartment complex began Nov. 30, when a resident used a mobile phone to record a fight between two women at the complex and shared the video with her friend, who posted it on social media.
“The friend immediately became threatened by the fact that this videotape was now on the air, which showed these individuals, these two women, fighting in this courtyard area, and that person immediately left and went to another state based upon the intimidation factor of what our victims had to deal with after the video was posted online,” Chamberlain said.
The video then led to threats by the women and others linked to them against the resident and eventually escalated to the Dec. 16 abduction.
The victim and her husband were ambushed in the courtyard of 1268 Dallas St. and taken to a vacant unit, where they were assaulted, bound and robbed. Their attackers stole jewelry, cell phones and financial information, demanding the deletion of the incriminating video, police said.
“The whole goal of this seemed to be based on the fact that these suspects wanted the camera or the cell phone that was used by our victim to take this video,” Chamberlain said.
He said they wanted the video removed because it showed the women fighting, along with other individuals involved in criminal activity.
Beyond the violence, the suspects were accused of running an extortion scheme, demanding $500 every two weeks from some residents on top of regular rent payments.
“This wasn’t just about these victims,” Chamberlain said. “We are uncovering a broader pattern of extortion affecting multiple residents in the complex.”
The allegation of “rent extortion” isn’t new. Such allegations were made public in July. Former Aurora interim police chief Heather Morris released a police video specifically addressing allegations that gangs were running amok at the complex.
“I’m not saying that there’s not gang members that… live in this community,” Morris said. “But what we’re learning out here is that gang members have not taken over this complex.”
Current police administrators have previously reiterated those sentiments.
Police on Friday did not make clear how long the extortion ring has been operating, and much of the building has been emptied as city officials continue efforts to close the complex down, citing critical health and safety issues.
Large pool of suspects
Following the Nov. 30 attack, the police department detained 19 individuals connected to the crimes, with three released for “having nothing to do with the crime.” with 16 still being held at the ICE detention center in Aurora, privately operated by GEO Inc., sparking concerns among local immigration activists about potential legal and civil rights violations.
Eight of the 16 detainees have been accused of crimes related to the alleged Nov. 30 attack. The other eight suspects are still being questioned, apparently by Aurora police and federal immigration officials, and have not been named or charged with any crimes yet, police said.
An Aurora Police Department press release identified eight suspects in ICE custody and stated that three suspects are “outstanding.”
The eight suspects in custody include:
• Andres Alexander Liendo-Padilla, 25.
• Jesus Alberto Alejos Escalona, 22.
• Junior Reyes-Barrios, 28.
• Barbara Sivle Medina-Arcaya, 29.
• Donarkys Teresa Suarez-Quesada, 31.
• Luigi Javier Soto-Sucre, 26.
• Niefred Jose Serpa Acosta, 20.
• Jengrinso Elias Loreto-Petit, 31.
Immigration and housing rights groups spoke with residents at the apartment complex after the attack and police intervention and made a statement as spokespeople for the residents. The groups included the American Friends Service Committee, Housekeys Action Network Denver, East Colfax Community Collective, Convivir Colorado, Colorado People’s Alliance, Casa de Paz and The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
The joint statement said that residents expressed fear and distrust of police following the raid. Residents at the complex said they saw numerous residents — including minors — detained by police outside wearing pajamas in freezing temperatures for many hours without warrants or proper justification.
Immigrant group officials said in a statement Aurora police actions have left a lasting scar on the community.
“This act of collective punishment leaves children without parents, businesses without workers and communities without trust,” said Nate Kassa of the East Colfax Community Collective.
Chamberlain has repeatedly acknowledged immigrants’ concerns about the fear of reporting crime and repeatedly called the victims courageous, urging more immigrants to come forth. He said their cooperation with crimes like this helps the police force with more efficient policing of immigrant criminals. Chamberlain also said that three of the suspects were released, and so far, and that ICE is not interested in pursuing them even though they are undocumented.
Officials from ICE have not confirmed that and previously issued a statement that all individuals turned over to them by Aurora police were undocumented and now targets for deportation.
Immigrant allies said the perception is growing that Aurora police intervention has either purposely or inadvertently triggered deportation issues for apartment residents not implicated in any criminal wrongdoing, creating fear and distrust of police and potential crime inflicted by immigrants or other criminals.
“It’s unclear why APD released some people back to their (home) while transferring custody of at least five, who have no criminal charges, directly to ICE,” the joint statement said. “No warrants for anyone’s detention or arrest were shown on scene despite repeated requests by observers and residents to see a warrant. This appears to be a direct violation of state law as well as people’s civil rights.”
Request from the Sentinel to Attorney General Phil Weiser and other state officials about whether Aurora police broke state laws prohibiting local police from coordinating with ICE officials to facilitate arrests were not immediately returned late Friday.
Chamberlain repeated the department’s commitment to serving all residents regardless of immigration status, though the groups representing the residents said apartment residents and area immigrants have no trust.
“We are here to serve you,” he said. “The Aurora Police Department will go out of its way to ensure you are not victimized.”
The Aurora Police Department’s collaboration with federal agencies, such as Homeland Security Investigations and ICE, has been crucial in addressing this case, Chamberlain said.
“I am not going to shy away from this,” Chamberlain said Friday. “I’m not going to shy away from my relationship with the Department of Homeland Security. I’m not going to shy away from a relationship with ICE or HSI or anybody that can, again, stop this type of victimization.”
He did not directly address the question of whether the APD efforts conflicted with state law.
In the joint statement, the advocacy groups condemned the raid, calling for an end to ICE involvement and an independent investigation into the police department’s actions.
The leaders urged residents to contact elected officials, demand accountability and push for systemic change. They also advocate for a rehousing process for tenants affected by the criminal activities and subsequent raid.
Chamberlain did offer resources to the two victims in the abduction incident but made no statement about the other residents who were also alleged victims of the suspects.
Mayor Mike Coffman speaks to the larger issue of apartment problems
In a Friday press conference with Mayor Mike Coffman before the meeting with Chamberlain, Coffman made a few clarifying statements about his views of the plausibility of mass deportations, his frustrations with the city of Denver and concerns about unvetted information being leaked to the press.
“I look forward to closing this apartment building down,” Coffman said, sounding frustrated over the mismanagement and criminal activity associated with the property.
Coffman said that TV reports of the female victim’s fingernails being pulled off were exaggerated, stating it was an acrylic nail on her pinky finger that was removed. Without naming her, he criticized Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky for sharing the inaccurate claims on FOX News without verifying the facts.
The Sentinel observed Jurinsky making the claims to TV reporters and did not report them at the request of Aurora police, who said the case was under investigation and that allegations could not at that time be confirmed. Jurnisky also provided TV reporters with allegations that the incident was spawned from a social media post, which police also said they could not confirm at the time.
“I think it’s very important that when information comes out, information is vetted before it comes out publicly,” he said.
Regarding the Trump administration’s potential immigration reforms, Coffman said he thinks President-elect Donald Trump needs support from bipartisan legislation to make lasting reforms. Trump wants his fingerprint on lasting policies, Coffman said. He doesn’t want something that the next administration can reverse.
Trump has threatened to revoke temporary immigrant residency status and rights, potentially making millions of document immigrants “illegal.” In addition, Trump is pressing to end what is called “birthright citizenship” for people automatically becoming citizens by being born inside the United States.
The mayor acknowledged that under current federal law, immigrants who commit certain crimes can face deportation, regardless of their legal status. However, he emphasized the need for a balanced approach.
Coffman also addressed allegations by Trump and his allies that Aurora is being “overrun” by migrants, saying such assertions are untrue. He emphasized that his role as mayor requires him to offer facts as they are provided, not as he might wish them to be.
In trying to investigate the situation, he said he examined a Sept. 11 article from City Journal that linked NGOs and landlords to migrant housing in Aurora. He criticized Denver Mayor Mike Johnston for relocating migrants to Aurora without transparency, citing an incident where Denver displaced working-class residents from an Extended Stay Hotel to house migrants.
Coffman expressed frustration over Johnston’s refusal to disclose details about the migrants sent by non-profit groups to Aurora, their benefits or promises made, prompting Coffman to file open records requests to uncover the information.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on rebuilding trust and ensuring justice for the victims of the extortion ring while addressing the broader issues of public safety and immigration enforcement in Aurora.
Omg, the amount of trouble caused by these people is just ridiculous! Women fighting in the courtyard. Youth being exposed to violence and squalor. Guns. Assault. Intimidation. Extortion. Illegal entrance into the country.
And now immigration and housing advocates dare to question the legality of the police actions?!?
My thoughts exactly. Why we have all these “advocates” for illegal activity is beyond me. Illegal immigrants have no rights in this country, regardless what these people think. Besides the fact Aurora is not a sanctuary city but Denver is. And that is in itself illegal. I am saddened our city has devolved into this quagmire just like Denver because of the radical libtards who make this a less desirable place to live than what it was at one time.
You can try to make a point but as soon as you say ‘libtards’ your whole comment becomes just more irrelevant noise. It’s childish. Stop it for your own sake.
Look at Billy Tone Police over here, coming from the same guy whose side said just a couple months ago that none of this was actually happening.
“[T]he same guy whose side” said was not happening?
Well, I for one did remark about the lack of evidence concerning the address on Nome Street, which is the street I live on. Because there was no evidence supporting Ms. Jurinsky’s claims. Which is about par for Jurinsky, though she seems to be a solved problem. (Bye, Danielle!)
Anyone who has worked in law enforcement knows that claims must be based on evidence. Claims without evidence are no different than barroom bragging.
Here’s the thing: Claims made without evidence are not worthy of belief. No one was presenting much evidence, and still haven’t, regarding Nome Street.
But bray on, Orphan. You still cut a ridiculous figure. And a hateful one.
And Jeffy-poo rides in to try and salvage his side’s embarrassing confrontation with reality.
I’m sure you were saying the same thing when the Bloods and Crips were moving into the Denver metro in the late 1980s. “This isn’t happening, but if it is, it’s a good thing, and you’re a bigot for complaining about it.”
Your side deserves all the hate it gets.
You idiots owe Jurinsky an apology and should probably move along.
As this has turned into an ongoing crime scene continuing to make updated national news stories every week. The scoop, one that keeps on giving. Maybe APD is making a dent, maybe not. It’s hard to know as the government fails to deal with awkward questions, and differing reports. This creates an atmosphere Aurora has incredibly set themselves up for. Previous chief Heather Morris told us nothing to see here, no worries. That was significant as some city made production for the purpose to downplay and calm. Was this some political engineered narrative? Gives us plenty of reason to question its motive.
The Sentinel reaches out to AG Phil Weiser about local cops’ interaction and cooperation directly with ICE, a potential violation by APD to the state sanctuary city policy. A real piece of work concocted by the state lawmakers years ago, a general hands-off policy to illegal aliens. Be that as it may this policy — The Chickens have come home to roost.
How about the Aurora City council finally demanding AG Weiser office do a couple things. One, the AG to open an investigation into the relationship and funding Denver and Mayor Johnstons office had with at least two Denver non-profits that contracted with the three CBZ owned apartments for all these “New Commers”. These NGO’s financed mass movement, housing and transporting of these Venezuelans across the city line into Aurora, a slight separation from Denver’s direct involvement. This was sponsored and had some directives as Denver’s money from Denver City council non-profit grant applications. This money millions by the way, came to the state from the Feds (Inflation Reduction Act). Denver dismissed Aurora’s request for CORA production of documents. So says Aurora, is this accurate? No one has seen a copy of these CORA’s. Apparently, Aurora leaders so far accept this blow off, don’t bother us with these CORA’s. That’s a violation that’s clearly unlawful. City leaders are twiddling their thumbs. You want to get to bottom of this or not? The second task for Aurora city hall, is petition AG Weiser’s office investigate by use of grand jury the Tren de Aragua -TDA gang as organized crime. TDA, as we are learning has operated as an organized crime enterprise in various counties Denver, Adams, Arapahoe. These gangs are resourceful, they mutating to fit whatever landscape they need to.
Before being deported, they should be tried, convicted and sentenced to long terms in prison. After the prison terms are completed, then they should be deported. Just being deported is not a real punishment for the crimes committed.
“Immigration and housing rights groups spoke with residents at the apartment complex after the attack and police intervention and made a statement as spokespeople for the residents. The groups included the American Friends Service Committee, Housekeys Action Network Denver, East Colfax Community Collective, Convivir Colorado, Colorado People’s Alliance, Casa de Paz and The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.”
Sounds like a bunch of NGO money-laundering operations that need to be shut down with extreme prejudice.
I suspect one or more of these groups are coaching them on what they should say to reporters about this incident. I suspect they are very grateful for the intervention by police for their protection, as they can’t count on this in their homeland. But they are advised to say that now they don’t trust police here for fear of deportation.
I open the Sentinel website because I know I will see current events in Aurora. I also know the articles will be one-sided screeds in support of the most liberal view of the event. Then, I receive a banner asking me to pay for this reporting. How can I, or any person of good faith, fund journalism that is so slanted? If you want my money, center your reporting and stop being the mouthpiece of the far left.
“Have now trust,” Cassandra???? Please review your article for inadequate sentence structure!! This is a phrase appearing in this article, and it does not make sense!!