NEW YORK, NY - Assistant Chief of Detectives Jason Savino of the New York Police Department revealed to WABC reporters Tuesday that an investigation is underway into a rash of robberies centered around the iconic Times Square he says are the work of a group of over twenty illegal immigrant children belonging to the Tren de Aragua gang. Some of the children are as young as 11 years old.
Given that the children are so young, they are often able to evade prosecution for their crimes, police told ABC News. Savino added that this group in particular, self-identifying as “Los Diablos de la 42,” or the little devils of 42nd Street, are a subset of Tren de Aragua.
The group is composed of illegal immigrants allegedly seeking asylum and living at taxpayer expense at the former Roosevelt Hotel. The group even posts online about their crimes.
"They're reckless and as ruthless as a crew as we've seen," Savino said. "When you look at this core group of 20 individuals, this is their ground zero."
Savino added that the crimes the group is committing are escalating. "It started with snatches and then you saw wolfpack-type robberies where numerous individuals surrounding unsuspected tourists, frightening them, and then taking their properties," he said. "That graduated certainly into knives and then ultimately there were gunpoint robberies committed by the young crew."
Speaking with The New York Post on Monday, he told reporters, “You have individuals that are brazen. We know they have access to guns, evident by the fact that they’ve done gunpoint robberies and they’ve been brazen enough to showcase pistols in and around their social media.
Per ABC, the NYPD is deploying drones, covert surveillance and increased uniformed patrols to deter and arrest the gang members. Although Savino added, "The DA is making recommendations that just aren't adhered to. We have to look at our judges and make them more accountable."
As with other members of Tren de Aragua, many of the gang members are from Venezuela and have entered the country illegally without their parents.
Given that the children are so young, they are often able to evade prosecution for their crimes, police told ABC News. Savino added that this group in particular, self-identifying as “Los Diablos de la 42,” or the little devils of 42nd Street, are a subset of Tren de Aragua.
The group is composed of illegal immigrants allegedly seeking asylum and living at taxpayer expense at the former Roosevelt Hotel. The group even posts online about their crimes.
"They're reckless and as ruthless as a crew as we've seen," Savino said. "When you look at this core group of 20 individuals, this is their ground zero."
Savino added that the crimes the group is committing are escalating. "It started with snatches and then you saw wolfpack-type robberies where numerous individuals surrounding unsuspected tourists, frightening them, and then taking their properties," he said. "That graduated certainly into knives and then ultimately there were gunpoint robberies committed by the young crew."
Speaking with The New York Post on Monday, he told reporters, “You have individuals that are brazen. We know they have access to guns, evident by the fact that they’ve done gunpoint robberies and they’ve been brazen enough to showcase pistols in and around their social media.
“This is the first formulated group that we found where this group of about 20 individuals that, in pack format, hang out every day, they post on social media, they boast about their crew,” the chief added. “You see little pockets in and around Times Square and in and around the shelters." Scavino made the source clear, however, saying “as far as a true threshold, it’s been limited to shelters.”
Bill Mitchell of YourVoice America reported in a post to X Monday that per police, "These migrant gang members use government-issued PHONES to communicate and recruit, taking advantage of bail reform laws."YOUNG AND VICIOUS: The "Los Diablos de la 42" crew, part of Tren de Aragua, is robbing in Times Square. Members as young as 11 avoid jail due to lenient JUSTICE reforms. Are NYC shelters becoming crime hubs?
— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) October 14, 2024
Police say these migrant gang members use government-issued PHONES to… pic.twitter.com/qJ56QzaDht
Per ABC, the NYPD is deploying drones, covert surveillance and increased uniformed patrols to deter and arrest the gang members. Although Savino added, "The DA is making recommendations that just aren't adhered to. We have to look at our judges and make them more accountable."
As with other members of Tren de Aragua, many of the gang members are from Venezuela and have entered the country illegally without their parents.
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