Gang-related kidnapping at apartment puts Colorado city back in national immigration debate

The city of Aurora, Colorado, has re-entered the national debate on immigration after a man and woman were dragged from a unit in an apartment complex Monday night and bound, beaten and pistol-whipped until they were able to beg for their release, police say.

The city of Aurora, Colorado, has reentered the national debate on immigration after a man and woman were dragged from a unit in an apartment complex Monday night and bound, beaten and pistol-whipped, police say. Police Chief Todd Chamberlain described the incident at The Edge on Lowry apartments as “without question a gang incident,” noting that both the perpetrators and victims are likely Venezuelan immigrants, some of whom may be undocumented. Nineteen suspects were detained, but three were later released, Aurora police spokesperson Joe Moylan said. The remaining 16 suspects are in custody of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Police are working with federal authorities to determine what gang affiliation, if any, the suspects have, Chamberlain said during a briefing Tuesday. That includes probing whether they may be connected to the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, whose members have previously been identified in the city. Chamberlain said Tuesday there was a “high assumption” the gang was involved. No charges have been filed, and the suspects’ names have not been released. The victims reported the attack to police and were being treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, the police chief said.