DENVER — Authorities in a Denver suburb have revealed that eleven individuals, among them suspected members of a Venezuelan gang, may face criminal charges related to the violent kidnapping and assault of a couple earlier this week. This announcement was made on Friday by local police officials.

The federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency currently holds eight of the suspects, who were first detained by officers in Aurora, while three additional individuals have yet to be apprehended. At this point, no formal charges have been filed against any of the suspects.

During a press conference, Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain provided details about the suspected gang, known as Tren de Aragua, which originated in a notorious Venezuelan prison. This group has been linked to various criminal activities. One of the individuals under suspicion was also involved in a prior incident that took place in August, where he was part of a group of six armed men seen in a viral video knocking on an apartment door shortly before a deadly shooting occurred. Chamberlain noted that this 20-year-old suspect had disguised himself with a woman’s wig and hat in an attempt to evade capture by law enforcement.

The young man was already on law enforcement’s radar for charges related to burglary and menacing stemming from the earlier video footage. Now, with his arrest in connection to the recent attack, four of the six men featured in the August incident are in custody.

Chamberlain explained that the violent assault on the couple appears to be a retaliation connected to a video recorded by the wife last month, showcasing two women in a fight at the apartment complex. This footage also depicted additional individuals participating in illegal activities and was subsequently shared online.

The armed assailants reportedly abducted the couple and transported them to an unoccupied apartment, where they were bound and physically assaulted. As the husband suffered a stab wound, the suspects stole the wife’s phone and erased the video evidence of the earlier fight. Additionally, the couple’s apartment was ransacked during this ordeal, according to police reports.

The victims disclosed that they had been subjected to extortion, forced to pay $500 regularly to their captors. Chamberlain indicated that the investigation is ongoing and will also examine whether other residents in the area have been similarly targeted for extortion by the suspects.