Property Manager Accuses Venezuelan Gang of Taking Control of Aurora Apartments, Attempting Extortion

An apartment building complex on Nome Street in Aurora, Color., was shut down by the city recently over code violations. Residents say the building was a hotspot for migrant gang activity. Photo taken on Aug. 30, 2024. Allan Stein/The Epoch Times

A New York-based property management company has broken its silence on recent reports that a Venezuelan gang known for its violent and illegal activities took control of several apartment buildings it manages in Aurora, Colorado. The company said gang members seized control of some units, allegedly assaulted one of their employees, and tried to extort the company.

The landlord, CBZ Management, said in a series of posts on social media on Oct. 11 that law enforcement told them the notorious Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela was behind the takeover, which the company said left their tenants and employees in a precarious situation, fearing for their safety.

The property management firm said the trouble began in late 2023, after they had made significant investments to upgrade several apartment complexes in Aurora.

“Everything was progressing smoothly: property values were rising, and vacancy rates were dropping. It was a win-win for both the owners and the city of Aurora,” CBZ Management said in one of the posts. “Then, the gangs arrived.”

CBZ Management detailed how they first noticed a rise in crime and tenant complaints, with an influx of unauthorized occupants infiltrating the buildings.

In one instance, a tenant returned from vacation to find strangers living in his apartment. When confronted, many of the illegal tenants claimed they had already paid rent—not to CBZ, but to a “different entity.”

“To address this entity (gangs) we contacted every city official we could think of to help with the problem,” the company said in one of the posts. “Unfortunately, none were willing to take meaningful action.”

CBZ Management said that it spoke to Aurora police, the FBI, and Homeland Security, who reportedly said that the gang was part of the Tren De Aragua criminal organization, which was also causing problems in other parts of the country.

“Two days after our FBI meeting, the gang confronted our on-site manager, asserting control over all three properties,” CBZ Management said. “They offered an ultimatum: share rental income 50/50 or lose the buildings permanently. They also threatened to harm him and his family.”

The company’s local representative in Aurora was attacked after refusing a bribe from unauthorized occupants inside a vacated unit, according to a separate post by CBZ Management on X with security footage of part of the assault, which left the representative beaten bloody. Following the attack, the employee was hospitalized and later allegedly received threatening messages, some of which contained details about his family.

“For the safety of our management team and their families, we withdrew them from the properties and focused on seeking help from government agencies,” the company said in a post.

CBZ Management said it expected a swift response from the city, including resources and police protection, possibly even National Guard assistance, to help regain control of their properties.

The Aurora Police Department confirmed in late August that the task force had been established to address criminal activity connected to Tren de Aragua and other gangs operating in the area, working in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal authorities.

CBZ Management said it wasn’t enough and accused the city of drumming up “code violations” to shift the blame and shut down the properties.

“We were left helpless, watching as violence, bullets, and destruction overtook our buildings. Many of our legitimate tenants fled out of fear,” the company said in another post.

“Despite clear evidence, many still deny the reality of the situation, sometimes using us as scapegoats,” the company said. “That’s why we are no longer staying silent. We will continue to counter falsehoods with simple facts and evidence. Yes, gangs did take control of our apartment complexes in Aurora, Colorado, and the government did nothing. That is the real story.”

The Epoch Times reached out to the City of Aurora with a request for comment on the allegation that officials failed to take meaningful action.

In response, a spokesperson said that the city is “not going to give credence to these continued exaggerations.”

“These delinquent property owners, managers and/or ‘investors’ conveniently fail to acknowledge that their own bank lenders took them to court in the last few weeks where a judge ordered some of their problematic properties into receivership,” Ryan Luby, deputy director of communications for the City of Aurora, said in an emailed statement. “That means a judge has given the legal authority to a third-party receiver to actually manage the properties, and who the property owners will be forced to compensate.”

The Epoch Times has reached out to CBZ Management with a request for comment.

Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman acknowledged the presence of criminal activity in certain apartment complexes but said the issue did not represent a widespread crisis in the city.

“The reality is that the concerns about Venezuelan gang activity have been grossly exaggerated,” Coffman wrote in an Oct. 8 statement. “The incidents were limited to several apartment complexes in this city of more than 400,000 residents.”

Coffman’s remarks preceded a high-profile visit to the city from former President Donald Trump, who referenced the situation during a rally in Aurora, describing the situation as a “war zone” overrun by criminal elements. During the visit, Trump announced plans for a new initiative dubbed “Operation Aurora” to crack down on illegal immigrant gangs.

Local law enforcement has refrained from making public statements about specific incidents or ongoing strategies to dismantle gang operations, citing the sensitive nature of their investigations.