Tren de Aragua Gang Sees Surge in Arrests Amid Crime Wave in Midtown Manhattan
The Tren de Aragua gang, a notorious Venezuelan organization, has seen a staggering 517 arrests across New York City in 2024, with nearly 295 occurring near Midtown Manhattan’s major tourist attractions, according to recent NYPD statistics.
The NYPD has pinpointed 41 members of the gang who alone account for 143 of these arrests, primarily in the bustling central precincts surrounding landmarks like Times Square and Rockefeller Center. This reflects a 45% increase in gang-related arrests compared to two years ago, indicating the growing influence of the gang since its arrival in New York, believed to have begun approximately two years ago.
In addition to Tren de Aragua, the gang has spawned a younger offshoot known as “Diablos de la 42”, featuring members as young as 11. This subgroup has contributed to the crime rate, with a significant number of felony charges including robbery, grand larceny, assault, and car theft.
Notable arrests include Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, 19, who allegedly shot at two NYPD officers during a routine traffic stop and Kelvin Servita Arocha, 20, involved in an assault on police in Times Square. Additionally, juvenile members of Diablos have posed unique challenges to law enforcement due to New York’s lenient policies regarding young offenders.
As law enforcement continues to combat the rising tide of gang violence, they acknowledge the complexity of the issue, compounded by changes to New York State’s criminal laws that inhibit certain deterrents like bail for non-violent crimes. The gang’s operations extend beyond street crimes, with connections to drug trafficking and sex exploitation, underscoring the pressing need for comprehensive strategies to curb their influence in the city.
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