- READ MORE: Some of Venezuela's worst criminals have slipped into the US
By Will Potter For Dailymail.Com
Published: | Updated:
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533 View commentsA gang of thieves has been identified after shocking footage showed them violently loot a Denver jewelry store within minutes as terrified staff cowered in fear.
Days after the smash-and-grab crime, officials have laid the blame on the infamous Tren de Aragua gang, the largest criminal organization in Venezuela.
Seven males are still being sought over the heist, however one suspect - Jean Torres Roman, 21 - was arrested last week by Homeland Security.
The federal bureau said it caught Roman in New Mexico, before handing him off to theDenver County Sheriff’s Department. He was charged with a slew of crimes including attempted aggravated robbery and attempted murder.
Shocking footage captured the moment a gang of thieves emptied a Denver jewelry store within minutes as terrified staff cowered in fear
Colorado cops sought eight men suspected of looting the store, before one was caught by Homeland Security who claimed he was associated with theTren de Aragua gang
Experts have warned that the Tren de Aragua gang - which is believed to have over 5,000 members nationwide - has gained a foothold in America by taking advantage of the migrant crisis.
The gang is known for ruthless killings and sparking chaos in South America, but recently set up its new headquarters in Texas as members pour over the border.
Criminals associated with Tren de Aragua have now seemingly spread throughout the nation, with the El Paso division of Homeland Security Investigations tweeting this week over the arrest of Roman.
The bureau shared an image of the suspect in a red prison jumpsuit and chains, noting his alleged gang affiliation and role in the June 24 jewelry heist.
Homeland Security said Roman is a Venezuelan national, and passed him to Denver law enforcement to face charges over the jewelry heist.
Homeland Security released this image ofJean Torres Roman, 21, an alleged gang member who was charged over the shocking Denver jewelry heist
Footage showed two female employees run to the back of the store before several of the thieves overpowered them and held them at gunpoint
One of the men was seen pistol whipping one of the women, as their partners ransacked the store and stole fistfuls of jewelry and watches
He has been booked on a $1 million bond and faces charges offirst degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and menacing (making threats), reports KDVR.
According to the outlet, the net closed in on Ramos after a raid on a motel in El Paso led to the arrest of a number of people inside, who told officials that the suspect was among them until recently.
It was reported that the arrests in the motel came after collaboration between Homeland Security and Denver police, however it is unclear how Ramos was then tracked to New Mexico.
In footage of the heist, a number of the suspects were seen wearing masks or sunglasses to hide their identities, with some seen posing as customers at the start of the robbery.
Several other suspects converged outside, before racing inside the store and pulling out guns and weapons.
The men leapt over the counters and smashed into jewelry containers, as others ran to the back of the store to chase two women who attempted to flee.
One young woman with a baby could be seen grabbing her infant and thankfully making it to safety, however the two women who ran into a back office were quickly overpowered by the criminals.
The store's owner Lidia Tena said she feared for her life as she was held at gunpoint and was warned by the robbers she would be shot
The two women were seen trying to bolt the door between them and the robbers shut, but the men overpowered them and held them at gunpoint.
At one stage, one of the men pistol whipped one of the women in the head, and the store's owner Lidia Tena told KDVR that they were warned they would be shot if they tried to get away or speak.
At the time of writing, seven of the suspects remain at large, and the Denver Police Department is appealing for any information leading to their arrest.
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