The Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua has extended its reach to the remote state of North Dakota in the United States, with the recent arrest of a suspected member for felony theft. Henry Theis, 25, was apprehended by local authorities in West Fargo, North Dakota, in early November.
Originating from a Venezuelan prison over a decade ago, Tren de Aragua, meaning 'Train from Aragua,' gained national attention in 2023 for a hostage situation in Aurora, Colorado. The gang has now expanded its operations to 17 states across the U.S., including North Dakota, which has a population of less than 40,000.
Theis was stopped by police for driving without headlights, leading to the discovery of over $24,000 in stolen cash from a nearby bank, along with incriminating items in his possession. He confessed to being part of a group of hackers involved in 'jackpotting' ATMs using a virus to steal money. Two other suspects, Jefferson Rodriguez-Quintero and Ryber Sanchez, were also arrested, bringing the total theft amount to nearly $100,000.
Furthermore, another Venezuelan national believed to be a Tren de Aragua member was recently apprehended near President-elect Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. The gang's violent activities have been linked to high-profile murders in various states, including the deaths of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia and 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston.
According to a Homeland Security memo, Tren de Aragua has established a presence in multiple states, such as Colorado, Texas, California, Florida, and others, with recent expansions into Virginia, Montana, and Wyoming. The gang's growing influence poses a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies nationwide, necessitating increased efforts to combat their criminal activities.
