An offshoot of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), consisting of migrant delinquents, is causing major criminal issues throughout New York City, specifically in Times Square.
The gang is called “Little Devils” or the “Diablos de la 42 (Devils of 42nd street) and consists of 40 members, all of which are minors seeking asylum in New York, according to the New York Post.
NYPD Assistant Chief Jason Savino commented on the gang’s activities and recruitment process in May:
“Now, we’re seeing that structure. There’s actually kick-ups where people are recruiting these younger members as young as 11, and they’ve been described as some of these robbery incidents as young as 8-years-old.”
One of the notable crimes committed by the Little Devils was a group assault of a 16-year-old disabled kid at a shopping mall in Staten Island on May 5.
The NYPD believes the gang is receiving its weapons from TdA, with whom they share 400 arrests mostly concerning assault and robbery. Several photos have been posted online of members making gun gestures and even posing with handguns. According to Savino, the gang uses Times Square as a social media hub.
New York City’s “Raise the Age” initiative — a criminal justice reform effort raising the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 21 — is considered to be an obstacle in curbing the crimes of Diablos de la 42. Suspects as young as 16 could be tried as adults in court prior to the initiative. However, some members as young as 11-years-old have committed crimes.
TdA is a designated foreign terrorist organization; however, it is unknown if the Diablos de la 42 will be given the same designation by the US government.
