The Aurora Police Department is investigating possible gang activity at an apartment complex on Potomac Street, with concerns that it may be linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, which was involved in incidents in the city last year.
Police Chief Todd Chamberlain discussed an incident during a news conference on Tuesday, detailing a disturbing situation that took place last week at 544 Potomac Street.
Armed Suspects and the Video Evidence
The incident, which occurred on June 9, involved armed suspects positioned in the hallways and stairways of the apartment building. Surveillance footage from the day showed several individuals, many armed with guns, knocking on a specific unit’s door repeatedly.
Chief Chamberlain highlighted a positive aspect of the situation: the residents of the apartment, who had just moved in from Venezuela, did not open the door despite the pressure from the suspects.
“The one thing I think is the positive about this is the individuals who had just moved into that apartment complex did not open that door,” Chamberlain remarked. “Had they opened that door, I shudder to think of what might have happened to them.”
Targeting the Venezuelan Immigrant Community
The residents who were targeted had moved to Aurora just two days before the incident, and Chief Chamberlain explained that the suspects, many of whom also have ties to Venezuela, were preying on the immigrant community, particularly Venezuelans.
He noted that this group is familiar with each other and is often victimized in their new environment.
“They are picking on a community that they are versed in. They are picking on a community that is the immigrant population in the city of Aurora. They are picking on a community that are primarily Venezuelan,” Chamberlain stated.
Previous Calls for Police Assistance
Chamberlain revealed that this wasn’t the first time Aurora police had responded to incidents at this apartment complex, located near 6th Avenue and Potomac Street.
Since August 2024, there have been at least 12 separate calls for service related to shots fired, assaults, squatters, and even a kidnapping. These ongoing issues have prompted the department to take action.
Investigation and Arrests
Thanks to a video provided by a neighbor, police were able to act quickly. The footage allowed them to obtain a search warrant on June 11, and they distributed flyers in both English and Spanish to residents in the building, alerting them about the situation.
During their search, officers found a firearm and a red hoodie that matched one worn by a suspect in the video. One of the suspects, 23-year-old Larry Galbreath, was arrested and faces charges, including felony menacing with a firearm and violation of a protection order.
Galbreath, a resident of the apartment complex, allegedly admitted to being “marked” by a Venezuelan group. This suggests that gang activity is possibly linked to an organized network using individuals to carry out criminal activities.
Ongoing Investigation and Cooperation
Police believe that at least nine people were involved in the incident, and two of them, including Galbreath, have been taken into custody. Investigators are working to identify and arrest the remaining suspects.
While Chief Chamberlain could not confirm if the gang activity is linked to the Tren de Aragua, he expressed concern about the situation, emphasizing that it is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
“The reason that I am sharing this video now is because I want everyone to understand and know that we are ahead of this. This isn’t something that we are reacting to, this is something that we are proactively addressing,” Chamberlain said, making it clear that the police department is taking strong steps to combat gang-related activities.
He likened the gang to a “cancer” that needs to be removed from the community.
Unlike the previous year’s gang-related incidents, Chamberlain noted that the property owners and management company of the apartment complex are fully cooperating with the investigation, which has made the process smoother.
The investigation into the suspected gang activity in Aurora continues, and law enforcement is working hard to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects. While the exact connection to the Tren de Aragua gang remains uncertain, authorities are focused on tackling the issue head-on.
The proactive approach of the Aurora Police Department aims to prevent further victimization and bring those responsible for the crimes to justice.