Aurora Police: Gang Members Have Not Taken Over Apartment Complex

Aurora interim police chief Heather Morris says that despite a video showing armed individuals resembling gang members, they have not taken over the Edge at Lowry apartment complex.

Aurora interim police chief Heather Morris has stated that gang members have not taken over the Edge at Lowry apartment complex, despite a video surfacing that appears to show heavily armed Venezuelan migrant gang members attempting to break into an apartment.

Morris made the statement during a video news conference posted to the department's official Twitter account on Friday evening.

Aurora Police: Gang Members Have Not Taken Over Apartment Complex

"I'm not saying that there's not gang members that don't live in this community," Morris said. "But what we're learning out here is that gang members have not taken over this complex."

The video, captured by a doorbell camera, shows several armed individuals breaking through the door of an apartment in the Edge at Lowry complex. One individual is armed with a scoped rifle, while the others carry handguns. The group is believed to be members of Tren de Aragua (TdA), a transnational gang based in Venezuela.

Aurora Police: Gang Members Have Not Taken Over Apartment Complex

The Aurora Police Department has confirmed that it is aware of TdA's presence in Aurora, and has been gathering evidence linking the gang to crimes in the area. However, the department has stated that it would be improper to make any definitive statements about specific incidents or provide details about law enforcement strategy and operations.

Based on its initial investigation, the Aurora Police Department believes that reports of TdA influence in Aurora are isolated. However, the department continues to urge community members to report crimes committed against them to local law enforcement agencies.

Aurora Police: Gang Members Have Not Taken Over Apartment Complex

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman has announced that the city is starting the process of clearing the apartment buildings where TdA has taken over.

"The Aurora City Attorney's Office is preparing court documents to request an emergency court order to clear the apartment buildings where Venezuelan gang activity has been occurring by declaring the properties a ‘Criminal Nuisance.’" Coffman said in a statement posted to Facebook.

Aurora Police: Gang Members Have Not Taken Over Apartment Complex

"This will require a municipal judge to issue the order with the goal of getting these properties back under the control of the property owners. In the meantime, the law enforcement task force set up to disrupt and arrest Venezuelan gang members in these buildings will continue its operation. I strongly believe that the best course of action is to shut these building[s] down and make sure that this never happens again."

Crime victims can report crimes anonymously by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.