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Tren de Aragua Member Appears in Denver Court for Violent Robbery

JEAN TORRES-ROMAN FACES AGGRAVATED ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES AFTER BEING CAPTURED IN A JOINT OPERATION

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Jean Torres-Roman, 21, an alleged member of the criminal gang Tren de Aragua (TDA), will appear today before the District Court in Denver. Torres-Roman is accused of participating in the violent robbery of the El Ruby jewelry store, an incident that left two people seriously injured and resulted in the theft of merchandise valued at millions of dollars. This is the first case in which a member of this criminal organization faces justice in Colorado.

The jewelry store heist took place on June 24, when eight armed men stormed the family-owned establishment. During the robbery, the owner was brutally struck in the head with a firearm, as was another person present in the store. Both victims required medical attention for their injuries. Torres-Roman, who allegedly participated in the attack, fled Denver after the incident.

Captured in New Mexico

Thanks to a joint operation between Homeland Security Investigations in Texas and Colorado, along with the police departments of El Paso and Denver, Torres-Roman was arrested in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Following his arrest, he was handed over to Denver authorities to face charges, including aggravated robbery and attempted first-degree murder. Due to the severity of the charges, he was given a $1 million bail.

The judge is expected to decide today whether Torres-Roman will remain in custody for the duration of the trial. This case has attracted the attention of authorities in Colorado, where a task force was recently established to focus on the activities of Tren de Aragua. This Venezuelan criminal organization has expanded its presence in the United States, and authorities have launched over 100 investigations related to its activities.

Pending Charges in Chicago

In addition to the charges in Denver, Torres-Roman has a pending case in Chicago. In May, he was arrested in that city for illegal possession of a firearm after an incident in which gunshots were reported. Despite the charges, a Cook County judge released him on the condition that he appear for his May 13 hearing, which he did not. Since then, Torres-Roman had been a fugitive until his capture in the southern United States.

The capture of Torres-Roman and his presentation before the court marks a key point in the fight against Tren de Aragua in the United States. This criminal group has been identified as a transnational organization, and federal authorities have placed a $12 million bounty on its leaders. The community hopes that this case will be a step closer to dismantling the dangerous organization and reducing its impact in the country.