Tren de Aragua Gang Tied to Violent Jewel Heist in Denver
Federal authorities have handed over an alleged member of the Tren de Aragua gang, suspected of being involved in a violent jewelry store robbery in Denver, to Colorado officials. The suspect, reportedly a Venezuelan national, is believed to be connected to the robbery at a Denver jewelry store on June 24.
Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Las Cruces, New Mexico, recently transferred the suspect to the Denver County Sheriff’s Department. According to HSI, the man is affiliated with the Tren de Aragua, a notorious transnational criminal organization, and is a suspect in the brutal jewelry heist.
The robbery, captured on video, shows a group of young men initially posing as customers before violently turning on the female staff and patrons. The footage reveals the robbers brandishing guns, forcing open an office door, and pistol-whipping two women, who are then seen collapsing to the floor. Amidst the chaos, a young woman can be seen grabbing a baby and fleeing through a back door.
The suspects escaped with an undisclosed amount of jewelry, prompting Denver police to issue a lookout for the eight males captured on camera.
Records indicate that 21-year-old Jean Torres Roman has been booked into the Downtown Detention Center in Denver. He faces state charges of attempted first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, and menacing. Additionally, Torres has a federal hold placed by the U.S. Marshals.
On June 27, SWAT officers in El Paso apprehended several individuals at a motel near Montana Avenue on undisclosed charges. Sources reveal that these detainees are being held on immigration charges, with Torres among those in custody until recently.
Currently, Torres is held on a $1 million bond in Colorado and is scheduled to appear in Denver District Court at 8:30 a.m. on August 21.
When contacted by Border Report on Monday, Denver police declined to comment on specific inquiries, directing questions to HSI. The federal agency confirmed its involvement with Denver police at the motel but deferred further questions to Colorado authorities.
Border Report also reached out to a victim of the robbery, who was unaware of any arrests. Understandably, she preferred not to discuss the incident over the phone due to the trauma she endured.
Joyeria El Ruby, the store targeted in the heist, has been a family-run business in Denver for the past 24 years.
