A recent investigation has unveiled a nationwide ATM theft ring involving illegal border crossers from Venezuela, specifically linked to the Tren de Aragua gang. This criminal organization has been implicated in a series of ATM thefts across multiple states, with recent arrests occurring in North and South Dakota. In West Fargo, police apprehended a 25-year-old man who was found with over $24,000 in cash and equipment related to ATM theft. He subsequently named two accomplices who were arrested near Watertown, South Dakota [049e8a7a].
The investigation has also led to the arrest of five Venezuelan men in Dallas, Texas, as part of a broader national crackdown on this criminal network. The U.S. Treasury Department had previously sanctioned Tren de Aragua as a transnational criminal organization in July, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott designated it as a foreign terrorist organization in September [049e8a7a].
The U.S. State Department is offering up to $12 million for information leading to the capture of Tren de Aragua leaders, highlighting the seriousness of the threat posed by this gang. Since the Biden administration took office, there have been reports of over one million illegal border crossers from Venezuela, with more than 662,000 illegal foreign nationals identified for deportation due to criminal records [049e8a7a]. This situation underscores the intersection of illegal immigration and organized crime, raising concerns about the safety and security of communities across the United States.