Quick Hit:
A violent gang of Venezuelan teen migrants, known as Tren de Aragua, is behind a series of armed robberies in Times Square. Despite multiple arrests, lenient New York criminal laws keep young criminals out of jail.

Key Details:

• The gang, based in a Manhattan migrant shelter, consists of nearly 24 members, some as young as 11 years old.
• They call themselves “Los Diablos de la 42,” targeting tourists in high-profile areas like Times Square and Central Park.
• Many members evade jail due to their age and New York’s criminal justice reforms, which limit bail for many crimes.

Diving Deeper:

A gang of baby-faced migrant teens from Venezuela, known as Tren de Aragua, has been wreaking havoc in New York City. Based out of a city-funded Manhattan shelter, these young criminals have evolved from purse snatchings to armed robberies in tourist-heavy locations such as Times Square. According to NYPD officials, the group’s ability to evade serious consequences stems from their age and New York’s lenient criminal justice laws.

The gang, calling themselves “Los Diablos de la 42,” operates in packs, targeting New Yorkers and tourists alike. Detective Bureau Assistant Chief Jason Savino noted that the gang boasts about their crimes on social media, where they display their access to firearms. "We know they have guns," Savino told The New York Post. "They’ve been brazen enough to showcase pistols in and around their social media."

Despite being linked to at least 50 incidents, none of the gang members are behind bars. New York's bail reform laws, which prohibit bail for many crimes, have enabled the group to continue their criminal activities largely unchecked. The gang has progressed from snatch-and-grab crimes to more violent offenses, including brandishing knives and guns.

Authorities also worry about a potential gang war brewing between Tren de Aragua and the notorious Latin Kings, stemming from a years-old murder. With the influx of migrants into New York since 2022, members of the Venezuelan gang have spread throughout the city, hiding among asylum seekers.

Operating from their base at the Roosevelt Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, the gang exploits the city’s migrant shelter system to recruit new members and run their illegal operations. They are involved in trafficking drugs, guns, and sex workers, often under the nose of security guards. According to law enforcement, younger recruits are often initiated by carrying out robberies, with harsh consequences for those who fail.

Despite repeated arrests, New York’s laws allow even young gang members accused of serious crimes to be released quickly. A recent case involved an 11-year-old boy tied to the gang, who was released after being issued a juvenile card.