CO city helps move apartment complex residents after alleged gang activity

• Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain highlighted unlivable conditions at the now-closed Edge of Lowry apartment complex. The complex gained national attention after alleged members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, were caught on video entering a unit last summer.
• Chamberlain blamed both the apartment management for neglect and the gang for creating a lawless environment.
• The city spent $360,000 on repairs and $94,000 to relocate 85 residents.

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Aurora, Colorado’s top cop revealed unlivable conditions at a now-closed apartment complex that made national headlines after alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua were caught on video entering a unit last summer. The City of Aurora had officially shut down the Edge of Lowry Apartment Complex.

Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain spoke from inside one of the now-closed apartments.

“Look at this venue. You have stoves that don’t work, you have electricity that’s not functioning. You have floors that have holes in them, you have a heater system that is completely dysfunctional,” Chamberlain said. “If you go into this back bedroom over here you’ll see an electricity cord that’s been pulled, hung down. A complete fire hazard for everybody in and around this venue. And this is one of the better locations.”

Chamberlain also pointed out a basement that was used for narcotics and sex trafficking.

He provided several reasons for the complex’s deteriorating conditions, placing blame first on the apartment’s management.

“The ownership and the management of the Dallas Street Apartments allowed this crisis to unfold unchecked,” Chamberlain said. “They used an influx of vulnerable migrants and vulnerable populations to maximize profits.”

Chamberlain also blamed the alleged Tren de Aragua gang members.

“Another aspect and kind of related to why this discussion is occurring today and why we’re here again is the Venezuelan gang, TdA,” Chamberlain said. “They took control of many parts of this complex without question. They created a climate of fear and of lawlessness. The gang specifically targeted its own community, Venezuelan immigrants, through violence, intimidation, extortion and even kidnapping. The complex became a hub for drug trafficking, home invasions, shootings and violent assaults.”

Chamberlain stated that the city spent about $360,000 on repairs to the complex and another $94,000 to help relocate 85 individuals or families to other areas of the city.

He added that the complex would remain closed until property management changes or the current company takes responsibility. If not, the city will pursue legal action.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided several Aurora locations known to house gang members. However, “border czar” Tom Homan said earlier this month that someone must have tipped off the gang members, as agents found mostly empty buildings and apprehended only one suspected gang member.

Similarly, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks said that a Colorado media outlet tipped off activists to the raids, which prevented ICE from carrying them out effectively. However, local media outlet The Sentinel said those claims were unsubstantiated, adding that a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency office in the region posted about the raid on X roughly an hour after it began.