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NYPD Chief warns that Tren de Aragua gang has started recruiting children
Jason Savino, assistant chief at the NYPD Detective Bureau, told Good Day New York that what started out as theft has become brazen and dangerous crime throughout NYC.
NEW YORK CITY - The NYPD’s Detective Bureau is tracking the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, made up of young migrants – some just 11 years old – who are believed to have arrived as NYC experienced an influx of asylum seekers.
Jason Savino, assistant chief at the NYPD Detective Bureau, said on Good Day New York that this is the first time "we've seen structure with Tren de Aragua."
"Now, we're seeing that structure. There's actually kick-ups where people are recruiting these younger members as young as 11, and they've been described as some of these robbery incidents as young as 8 years old," Savino said.
According to police, the gang’s crimes have become more brazen, with members even posting their weapons on social media.
"Right now, what we have, I like to call a perfect storm of sorts … tremendously brazen, absolutely ruthless individuals that have created a multitude of crimes with basically no repercussions," Savino said.
Savino continued: "What started out as a robbery crew, upwards of 50 robberies – 20 individuals – arrested for upwards of 50 robberies," Savino said. "And out of those 20 individuals, every single one of them is on the streets today."
‘Little Devils’
Meanwhile, "Los Diablos de la 42" -- Spanish for "Little Devils of 42nd Street"-- have proven to be a big problem for Times Square and the NYPD.
"[Times Square is] their threshold, that's where they feel comfortable, that's where they post to social media," Savino said.
Police officials say they're working to nab members of the Los Diablos – a subset of the Tren de Aragua. Sources tell the New York Post about 20 young migrants are targeting locals and tourists in numerous robberies and other crimes at the "Crossroads of the World."
"There is no deterrence," the source added. "You have a 15-year-old who continues to treat our city like his personal video game."
What is Tren de Aragua?
Tren de Aragua, which translates to Aragua Train, began in 2012 among trade union members in the Aragua province of Venezuela who used the country's rail system for crime, according to the New York Post.
The gang is involved in robberies, drug dealing and human trafficking throughout South America, and authorities warn that the group is looking to expand its international empire, according to the Post.
What is Tren de Aragua? The 'violent' Venezuelan gang recruiting NYC migrants
Police say that members of the gang have gone from crimes like shoplifting and stealing cell phones to all-out shoot-outs. Authorities warn that the group is looking to expand its international empire.
Earlier this year, Deputy Inspector Nicholas Fiore said the NYPD recorded a "tremendous" surge in moped robberies that they believe are orchestrated by Tren de Aragua recruits.
"There are orders coming from Columbia and from Venezuela, [they move] to Miami and then to New York," Fiore said.
Bernardo Raul Castro-Mata, the Venezuelan migrant accused of shooting two NYPD officers earlier this year during a traffic stop, reportedly confessed to police that gang members were instructed to shoot police officers.
In court, Queens Assistant District Attorney Lauren Reilly said that Mata had told investigators that members of Tren de Aragua were smuggling firearms into city shelters inside food packages that do not have to go through metal detectors.
Savino told Good Day he's concerned about gang warfare.
"We do believe there's a spillover from Venezuela, where a homicide did occur," he said. "So this could be the continued beef from Venezuela, tremendously concerning, but that would ignite the fire. We're on top of it, and we'll certainly prevent it."