AURORA | A woman suspected to have had a part in a violent December kidnapping at the Edge at Lowry apartment complex was arrested in Denver over the weekend, police said.
“One of three outstanding fugitives wanted in connection with a violent kidnapping in December at a northwest Aurora apartment complex was arrested this weekend in Denver on an Aurora Police Department warrant,” according to an Aurora Police Department statement.
Yusmary Carolina Panza-Ruiz, 34, was taken into custody Feb. 8 by the Denver Police on a warrant out of Arapahoe County District Court, according to the statement. She faces multiple felony charges, including three counts of second-degree kidnapping, two counts of extortion and one count of second-degree burglary.
The charges stem from a Dec. 17 incident at The Edge at Lowry Apartments in northwest Aurora, where two victims were forcibly taken by a group of about a dozen armed suspects. According to investigators, the victims were taken to a vacant apartment, bound, threatened and assaulted.
Aurora police Chief Todd Chamberlain described the attack as “torture.”
He said Tuesday that the arrest was the result of work among local agencies.
“We are incredibly thankful for the collaboration with our law enforcement partners that resulted in the capture of this violent offender,” Chamberlain said. “We will continue to pursue the remaining suspects at the highest level possible until everyone involved in this heinous and violent crime are in custody and held accountable for their actions. It’s not only our mission, but also what our community expects and demands.”
Aurora Police have pursued charges against 12 suspects involved in the case so far. Ten of the 12 are in custody, while two remain at large with active warrants. Police said all of the suspects are immigrants. Federal authorities have not released details about the immigration status of the suspects. Some federal officials have also said at least some of the suspects are accused of being members of the Tren de Aragua prison gang from Venezuela, but details of those allegations have not been made public.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
As of Monday, Panza-Ruiz was still being held in a Denver jail, according to the statement.
Thank you, law enforcement agencies.
Hope thathe others are caught.
The Sentinel reported earlier that reports of TdA in Aurora were unsubstantiated. Given that reporters are seldom wrong, how could TdA have committed crimes here?
That is almost as troubling as the large numbers of juveniles shooting people. How can that happen since the Colorado legislature made it illegal for them to possess firearms. It’s almost like we’re being fed inaccurate information.
Thank God they need to be locked up….