Three individuals linked to the Tren de Aragua gang have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a Texas man named Nilzult Petit, whose body was found in Irving, Texas with a gunshot wound to the head. The suspects allegedly kidnapped Petit and his two young relatives before executing Petit and abandoning the children on a nearby service road. The three arrested suspects are facing charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping, while a fourth suspect, Jhonny Jesus Martinez Serrano, remains at large.
Authorities in Aurora, Colorado had knowledge of Tren de Aragua gang activity over a year ago, according to documents obtained by FOX 4 Dallas. The gang, based in Venezuela, has expanded its operations to the United States, including drug and human trafficking. Two of the suspects involved in Petit’s murder were apprehended in Aurora, Colorado by ICE agents, while the third suspect was arrested in New Mexico by Homeland Security. Surveillance footage from an apartment building in Aurora showed the presence of the criminal outfit, highlighting the gang’s activities in the area.
The motive behind Petit’s kidnapping and murder reportedly stemmed from his involvement in an ATM theft scheme with the suspects. When Petit failed to pay his co-conspirators, they retaliated by kidnapping him and the children. The suspects, identified as Carlos Luis Zambrano Bolivar, Jhonata Nahin Toro Gonzalez, and Ehiker Alexander Morales Mendoza, are waiting to be extradited to Texas to face charges in connection with the crime. Authorities are still searching for the fourth suspect, Jhonny Jesus Martinez Serrano.
Farmers Branch police in Texas are continuing to investigate the case and are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of the fourth suspect to come forward. The Tren de Aragua gang has been compared to notorious gangs like MS-13 in its level of violence and criminal activities. The gang is known for engaging in drug and human trafficking, as well as other criminal enterprises. The involvement of Venezuelan nationals in criminal activities in the United States is a growing concern for law enforcement agencies.
The discovery of Petit’s body and the subsequent arrests of the suspects have shed light on the presence of the Tren de Aragua gang in the United States. The gang’s expansion into the country, including Colorado and Texas, has raised alarm bells among officials. The case also underscores the dangers of becoming involved with transnational criminal organizations and the potential consequences for those who participate in illegal activities with such groups. The collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and federal authorities in apprehending the suspects highlights the importance of coordinated efforts in combating organized crime.
As investigations into the Tren de Aragua gang continue, law enforcement agencies are emphasizing the need for public cooperation in providing information that could lead to the capture of additional suspects. The brutal nature of Petit’s murder serves as a grim reminder of the violence that criminal organizations are capable of, and the importance of dismantling such groups to ensure the safety of communities. The case of Nilzult Petit highlights the tragic consequences of involvement in criminal activities and the need for vigilance in identifying and apprehending individuals associated with violent gangs like Tren de Aragua.
