Chris Vanderveen

Jan 31, 2025 | 9news.com | Chris Vanderveen

DENVER — Federal prosecutors believe they’ve broken up part of a drug, gun and sex trafficking operation run, for at least a few months, out of a Denver apartment complex and led by notorious Venezuelan-born gang Tren de Aragua. At least a few of the seven arrested in two states this week, federal investigators believe, have ties to the TdA. 9NEWS Investigates reviewed the details of a criminal complaint just filed in U.S. District Court.

Jan 29, 2025 | 9news.com | Chris Vanderveen

AURORA, Colo. — Months before Aurora Police say Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco took part in a now infamous break-in at the Edge of Lowry apartments, investigators believe he took part in a bizarre kidnapping in the city that, at one point, linked – via a video chat conversation – the kidnapping victim and a notorious Tren de Aragua leader incarcerated inside a Peruvian prison, according to records reviewed by 9NEWS Investigates.

Dec 4, 2024 | 9news.com | Chris Vanderveen

BOULDER, Colo. — Dozens of times a year, jails in Colorado release inmates the state deems incompetent to stand trial. Often, they’re released with no plan, no structure and no idea how to help. In September at 11:15 p.m., a man named Cole – who 9NEWS Investigates have chosen to identify using only his first name due to a lack of conviction – left the Boulder County Jail with no shoes. He had just an apple, a sandwich and some clothes given to him by the staff at the jail.

Nov 21, 2024 | denvergazette.com | Chris Vanderveen |Aaron Adelson

In the dead of night, an undercover Thornton Police Department unit quietly followed a car with missing plates out of Thornton and into Denver and Lakewood. No lights. No sirens. Unmarked trucks. Mile after mile. The officers — each a member of the city’s IMPACT team — communicated to one another on the radio. “Coming up on 6th, going over the bridge,” an officer said. “You guys want me to take that turn with him?” another asked.

Nov 20, 2024 | 9news.com | Chris Vanderveen

THORNTON, Colo. — In the dead of night, an undercover Thornton Police Department unit quietly followed a car with missing plates out of Thornton and into Denver and Lakewood. No lights. No sirens. Unmarked trucks. Mile after mile. The officers – each a member of the city’s IMPACT team – communicated to one another on the radio. “Coming up on 6th, going over the bridge,” an officer said. “You guys want me to take that turn with him?” another asked.