Millions of users on X and TikTok posted and reposted content during the weekend claiming that hundreds of Hells Angels bikers were on their way to Aurora, Colorado, to confront Venezuelan gang members who got a foothold in cities in the state. But the infamous motorcycle club is still nowhere to be seen, leaving some wondering if there was anything to the claim.
The buzz on social media sparked a flurry of questions. After a weekend filled with viral videos asserting that the bikers were on their way to take on members of the Tren de Aragua gang, there have been no credible signs of the supposed convoy. Some users speculate that the bikers changed their destination and are "heading to Chicago now," while others joked that "they took a wrong turn in Albuquerque."
Local authorities, however, have cast doubt on the entire saga. "Do not believe the posts to be credible," the Aurora Police Department (APD) told Fox 31. Despite the skepticism, the APD also assured the public that they would continue to monitor the situation.
Throughout the weekend, many of the videos fueling the viral vigilante campaign were debunked by other users and the social media platform X itself. The trend had far-right X and TikTok users excitedly claiming that the motorcycle gang was stepping in to do the job authorities were not addressing, with some expressing relief at the idea of the Hells Angels arriving in Aurora because of growing concerns over the Tren de Aragua gang.
Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan-born criminal organization, has been linked to a series of high-profile crimes in Colorado, including an alleged "takeover" of an apartment complex—a claim that APD Interim Police Chief Heather Morris has refuted.
In a press briefing, Chief Morris acknowledged the presence of gang members in the area but dismissed the idea that they had taken over the apartment complex. "What we're learning out here is that gang members have not taken over this complex," she said. The Denver Police Department echoed this sentiment, stating it was "not aware" of any apartment buildings in the city being taken over by the Tren de Aragua.
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman also addressed the situation, noting that measures are being taken to combat gang activity in the area, even if the apartment complex wasn't "properly taken over." He mentioned that an emergency court order has been requested to clear apartment buildings where criminal activity has been reported, declaring them a criminal nuisance.
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