Law enforcement officials in West Fargo, North Dakota are sounding the alarm about suspected members of a Venezuelan criminal organization operating in their community of 40,000 residents.
West Fargo Police Chief Pete Nielsen said his department lacks adequate resources to combat the cross-border criminal activity linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, known as TdA.
“If you don’t have federal help on these crimes crossing all these different state lines, it’s difficult for local police to enforce some of this,” Nielsen said.
I joined @MorningsMaria on @FoxBusiness to discuss the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, strategically decoupling from China, and getting our border under control. The arrest of a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member in North Dakota is proof every state is a border… pic.twitter.com/4OkD1k3Xyo
— Senator Kevin Cramer (@SenKevinCramer) December 10, 2024
The concerns follow the November arrest of Henry Theis, 25, who authorities say stole $100,000 from ATMs in the area. Officials identified Theis as a suspected TdA member.
Nielsen confirmed his department tracks multiple other individuals believed connected to the criminal organization. The police chief expressed frustration over minimal federal assistance in addressing the emerging threat.
“We haven’t had a lot of federal partners knocking on our door here to assist with this crime,” Nielsen said.
West Fargo, ND Police Chief Pete Nielsen told NYP that he begged the Federal Government for help after Tren de Aragua members came to his city, and they basically ignored him.
North Dakota is now the 17th state with a Tren de Aragua presence.
January 20th can’t come soon… pic.twitter.com/oYOccEvE2l
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) December 15, 2024
Law enforcement sources revealed Theis entered the US illegally through El Paso in 2023 before being released with a future court date. He faced a drunk driving arrest in Lewisville, Texas this past August but was released.
The suspect’s latest arrest occurred after police discovered $24,000 in cash along with face masks and latex gloves in his vehicle during the ATM theft investigation.
Nielsen said the case highlights broader concerns about crime and immigration enforcement. “I think it’s concerning to any police chief of any community throughout the United States when these individuals are here illegally, number one,” he said. “Number two, they’re getting arrested for a crime. And then we release [them back] into the country they’re not even supposed to be in.”
A suspected member of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua was arrested in North Dakota.
Tren de Aragua now has a presence in 17 states.
I look forward to working with President Trump to secure our border and restore safety in our communities. pic.twitter.com/ctCU9LCZui
— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) December 10, 2024
Immigration officials have filed paperwork to take Theis into custody from the Cass County jail.
The police chief indicated his department would support stricter immigration enforcement under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, including potential deportation operations.
“We would assist the federal government on any thing that they needed us to do,” Nielsen said.
