Venezuelan – Authorities have connected illegal border crossers from Venezuela, with ties to the violent Tren de Aragua gang, to an ATM theft ring spanning several states, including North and South Dakota. Recent arrests have shed light on their criminal activities.
In one case, West Fargo police arrested a 25-year-old man outside a Gate City Bank branch after a routine traffic stop for a broken taillight. Upon questioning, the officer discovered over $24,000 in cash inside the vehicle, along with facemasks, black latex gloves, and a computer keyboard with wires. The man allegedly admitted to being part of a group of hackers involved in “jackpotting” ATMs, a method of manipulating machines to steal large sums of money. During questioning, he also provided the names of two accomplices, who were later arrested near Watertown, South Dakota.
West Fargo Police Chief Pete Neilsen expressed frustration over the situation, highlighting that the suspects were illegally in the U.S. and had stolen $150,000 before fleeing. “One would think the Feds would step in and take this one,” he said, referring to the federal government’s role in addressing such crimes.
Also Read – Authorities Search for Orlando Man Accused of $37K Solar Scheme
In another instance, five Venezuelan men were arrested in Farmers Branch, a Dallas suburb, in connection with a national ATM theft ring. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation involving multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FBI, ATF, and U.S. Secret Service, as well as state agencies from Texas, Colorado, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Ohio.
The Venezuelan gang members, identified as part of Tren de Aragua (TdA), have a history of violence, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and human trafficking. TdA is a transnational criminal organization that has been involved in hundreds of law enforcement investigations nationwide. In response to their activities, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned TdA as a criminal organization in July, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated it a foreign terrorist organization in September. The U.S. State Department has also offered up to $12 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of TdA leaders.
This wave of arrests follows a record number of Venezuelan illegal border crossings, with over one million individuals entering the U.S. under the current administration. Many of these individuals, including those with criminal records, remain in the U.S., with over 662,000 criminal aliens identified for deportation still residing in the country.
- Venezuelan Gang Members Arrested in ATM Theft Ring Across Multiple States - December 28, 2024
- McKinnon Warns Trump Needs Speed in First Year of Presidency - December 28, 2024
- Laredo Man Charged with Smuggling Over 100 Undocumented Immigrants in Texas - December 28, 2024
