Denver police chief, mayor react to South American gang presence in city

DENVER (KDVR) — The presence of a Venezuela-based transnational criminal organization in Denver is top of mind for the city’s police chief and mayor.

“We’re watching this very closely. I’m in touch with the police department chief, we’re meeting to do a briefing about what the options (are) and concerns,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston.

Tren De Aragua, or TDA, is a Venezuelan transnational criminal organization, according to U.S. federal officials. Nexstar’s NewsNation reported that a suspect in a violent Denver jewelry heist on June 24 is a Venezuelan national and an alleged member of TDA.

The case marks the most recent high-profile crime in Denver linked to the gang.

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TDA is the same group that triggered a law enforcement safety bulletin last month warning police in Denver that TDA members have been “given a green light to fire or attack law enforcement.”

“We are aware of the presence of the gang in our city, certainly continuing to follow that. I think the safety of our citizens, you know officers, is paramount,” said Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas.

Concern over the presence of the notorious South American gang follows a major influx of migrants to the U.S., including the city of Denver. Many of the more than 40,000 migrants who arrived in Denver are from Venezuela.

The mayor maintains that Denver is a welcoming city but shared a warning.

“For anyone that’s here to commit crimes, whether you’ve lived (here) your whole life or you’re brand new, we won’t tolerate that. We’ll find you. We’ll enforce it. We’ll prosecute you,” said Johnston.

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