Aurora, CO – In Aurora, Colorado, a male member of the Tren de Aragua gang attempted to avoid detection by dressing in drag, complete with a long, voluminous wig and a woman’s knit hat, as law enforcement searched for those responsible for a violent kidnapping, as reported by local officials.
The images depict 20-year-old Niefred Serpa-Acosta raising his hands while feigning to be a female when law enforcement arrived, according to Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky in a statement to The Post.
Authorities conducted a thorough search of The Edge at Lowry apartments for individuals involved in the abduction and abuse of two residents in the Denver suburb on the morning of December 17.
According to Jurinsky, Serpa-Acosta’s deep voice ultimately revealed his true identity.
“This gives a whole new meaning to transnational gangs in Aurora,” she quipped.
Serpa-Acosta initially evaded law enforcement following the emergence of a viral video in August that depicted heavily armed gang members invading an apartment at The Edge at Lowry complex in Aurora.
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Shortly thereafter, the group reportedly fired shots at an individual outside the premises.
Several months ago, in May, Serpa-Acosta was taken into custody by ICE and acknowledged his membership in a well-known Venezuelan gang, with tattoos that indicated his connection, sources had informed The Post.
The reasons behind his release from federal custody remain uncertain.
Serpa-Acosta is accused of executing the kidnapping and severe torture of a migrant couple residing at The Edge apartment complex earlier this month.
A couple was taken from their residence by a group of individuals associated with gangs, who then moved them to a different apartment within the same complex. Authorities reported that the victims were restrained, assaulted with a firearm, and physically beaten.
A group of individuals revisited the couple’s residence to commit a burglary.
The individuals were released after deceiving their captors and assuring them they would refrain from contacting law enforcement. A 911 call was made by the couple at approximately 2:30 a.m. on December 17.
During the police operation at the apartment complex, officers started interviewing residents and discovered Serpa-Acosta wearing the wig.
Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlin stated that Acosta “actually came out in disguise,” suggesting that “that’s probably a big reason why he was not apprehended earlier,” as reported by the Daily Mail.
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“Whether he did that all the time or he did that just that day, I can’t make that determination,” said Chamberlin.
Authorities are currently pursuing charges against 16 individuals suspected of involvement in the kidnapping, as reported by a local news outlet.
Serpa-Acosta is presently held in ICE custody in Denver.
