Aurora, Colorado Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said two victims were “tortured” inside a vacant apartment.
Authorities were called to The Edge at Lowry Apartments just before 2:30 a.m. Tuesday responding to an armed home invasion involving an assault, kidnapping and stabbing. This is the same apartment complex depicted in viral videos from over the summer showing armed gang members in stairwells and hallways taking over and invading apartments.
The two victims, a man and woman, are migrants themselves, were kidnapped from their apartment and taken to a vacant apartment, were assaulted, bound, and threatened. The male victim was stabbed and the woman had her fingernails removed.
The victims were kidnapped about 8:45 p.m. Monday night, were held for several hours before they were released on the promise that they would not call authorities.
Chamberlain said in a news conference, “The victims were held against their will, they were bound, both the male and the female, they were pistol-whipped, they were beaten, they were victimized, they were terrorized.” Chamberlain added the suspects went to the victims’ apartment and “burglarized and took over that apartment…taking items of value that belonged to the victims,” all during the time they were being held.
Once released about 2 a.m., the victims left the apartment complex and went to a friend’s residence where they called 911.
Authorities detained 14 suspects, although not confirmed as Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), it is believed they are affiliated with the gang. Also not confirmed, but believed is that the victims were targeted due to their comments on social media that not enough was being done there.
An investigation is ongoing and the victims remain in the hospital.
By - FZ
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