AURORA, Colo. — Early Tuesday morning, Aurora police arrested nineteen people, suspected of being involved in a violent, gang-related home invasion at the Edge at Lowry apartment complex, which has recently been the focus of national attention due to rising crime associated with certain immigrant communities.
The dramatic incident began when approximately 15 armed individuals allegedly broke up their way at about 8:45 p.m. on Monday night, accosting two Venezuelan immigrants—one male and one female. Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain detailed the chilling sequence during a Tuesday press conference, describing how the victims were taken to another apartment at the complex, where they were bound and violently assaulted. He emphasized, "They were pistol-whipped, they were beat, they were mistreated. So does this fall in the category of torture for me? Yeah, it does.”
According to police reports, at some point during their ordeal, the victims managed to persuade their captors to release them by promising not to involve the authorities. Subsequently, the victims managed to escape to a friend’s home, where they called 911 around 1:50 AM Tuesday.
Responding officers quickly locked down the apartment complex, located at the 1200 block of Dallas Street, and continued their investigation throughout the night. Chamberlain later confirmed, “We have detained 19 individuals, and we believe most of them were involved directly with the armed attack.” The victims, who were taken to the hospital for treatment were both reported to have non-life-threatening injuries, with one victim suffering from stab wounds.
The incident has been classified explicitly as gang activity by Chief Chamberlain, who stated, “This is without question a gang incident. I don’t know which gang they are affiliated with yet.” He did, nonetheless, acknowledge a possible connection to the Tren de Aragua gang, a notorious Venezuelan gang known for its activities within the area. While investigations are still underway, the Aurora Police Department is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to verify the identities of all involved.
The Edge at Lowry has gained notoriety for incidents of crime and violence, with previous reports highlighting how some apartment units were allegedly being taken over by armed gang members. Earlier this year, a viral video captured footage of armed individuals within the complex. Subsequently, the owners and local authorities began taking steps to address the crime, which has plagued the complex and its residents. Chamberlain lamented, “This complex is incredibly problematic... It’s one of the pockets of crime we have been focusing on.”
Community and city officials have expressed urgent concerns about crime and safety within the complex. Aurora’s Mayor Mike Coffman echoed Chamberlain's sentiments by reiteratively clarifying, “We will continue to protect members of our community and aggressively pursue anyone who tries to victimize them, no matter who they are or where they come from.”
Local leaders are also directing some blame toward CBZ Management, the company managing Edge at Lowry, for failing to maintain the property and allowing crime to flourish. This negligence has resulted, they argue, in making residents more vulnerable to criminal acts, particularly those stemming from gang involvement. City officials have pushed for more significant oversight and measures to provide safety for residents.
Chamberlain mentioned how the complexity of the crime and subsequent investigations might involve various authorities as they seek to stabilize safety within Aurora's neighborhoods. He remarked, “From our experience, we see these individuals who commit crimes exploit their neighbors for being undocumented. They feel they can victimize them without any repercussions. We are not going to tolerate this.”
The police proceedings are just beginning, with Aurora police continuing their investigations, conducting additional interviews, and executing warrants throughout the apartment complex. Chamberlain emphasized, “We won’t stop until every person involved is held accountable.”
The situation at the Edge at Lowry highlights the intersection of crime, immigration, and community safety concerns, as tensions rise from the increasing visibility of gangs associated with immigrant communities. Local leaders strive to find adequate solutions to this growing issue, hoping to restore confidence among residents and mitigate the fear within the community as investigations continue.