NYC Daycare Near Gang's Hideout: 22 Suspected Venezuelan Gang Members Arrested

A recent raid in the Bronx uncovered a shocking discovery: 22 suspected members of the violent Venezuelan gang, Tren De Aragua (TdA), were arrested in an apartment building directly adjacent to a daycare center. The raid, conducted on December 5th by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the NYPD's federal task force, highlights the gang's concerning integration into the city's population.

<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/12/1200/675/migrant-apartment.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="The apartment building in the Bronx where 22 suspected Tren de Aragua members were arrested on Dec. 5" width="1200" height="675">

The Raid and its Impact

Seven of the suspects were initially located through tracking a GPS ankle monitor of a gang member, Jarwin Valero-Calderon, to the Bronx apartment. A daycare worker confirmed children were present during the raid, raising significant safety concerns. Another raid in Brooklyn resulted in additional arrests, bringing the total number of suspected gang members apprehended to 22.

The Tren De Aragua gang is known for its involvement in various violent crimes, including murder, assault, robbery, and gun smuggling. Their presence in the U.S. is linked to a lax southern border, according to some sources. The gang's alleged operations extend across 16 states.

Arrests and Prior Offenses

The arrested individuals had prior criminal records. For instance, Valero-Calderon entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and amassed charges in multiple states before his arrest. Others, like Angel Gabriel Marquez Rodriguez and Jhonaiker Alexander Gil Cardozo, also had multiple prior arrests for various offenses. These individuals were released after previous arrests, further illustrating concerns about the current legal systems.

Political Reactions

The arrests prompted strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. NYC Council Member Joe Borelli criticized the Democratic Party's stance on NYPD cooperation with ICE, arguing that it hinders the removal of criminal migrants. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis echoed these sentiments, noting that the Democratic party's weakening of laws has enabled illegal immigrants, gangs, and criminal organizations to thrive and cause havoc within New York City.

<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/12/1200/675/tom-homan-ill-meet-with-anyone-to-talk-about-public-safety.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="Incoming border czar Tom Homan sits down with NYC Mayor Eric Adams." width="1200" height="675">

Mayor Adams' recent meeting with incoming border czar Tom Homan to address migrant criminals in the city has been met with some pushback from Democrats.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by NYC in addressing gang activity and immigration enforcement.