Three suspects accused of capital murder are linked to the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Farmers Branch Police have arrested Ehiker Alexander Morales Mendoza, 38, Carlos Luis Zambrano Bolivar, 25, and Jhonata Nahin Toro Gonzalez, 22. All three are charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping in relation to the death of 33-year-old Nilzult Arneaud Petit in August.
Police found Mendoza in Las Cruces, New Mexico, while Bolivar and Gonzalez were discovered in Aurora, Colorado—where TDA has made headlines in recent months for allegedly taking over an apartment complex.
Petit’s death is believed to be related to an ATM theft operation. According to the Farmers Branch Police Department, detectives believe the suspects accused Petit of withholding stolen money that he was either unwilling or unable to provide.
Petit was found in the roadway with a single gunshot wound to the head on August 24.
Police learned that Petit and two other juveniles were “forcibly taken” from an apartment complex in Dallas. The suspects drove the three to Farmers Branch, where Petit was killed. They then fled the scene with the other two juveniles.
In late September, Farmers Branch detectives traveled to Aurora to interview Bolivar and Gonzalez, who had been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Following the interview, the two were charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.
Detectives were also able to obtain Petit’s cell phones and identified the third suspect, Mendoza, who was taken into custody in Las Cruces.
“The investigation further revealed that Petit and the suspects are affiliated with the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua, and detectives believe this incident is unrelated to any other investigation or criminal case within the City of Farmers Branch,” the department wrote in a Facebook post.
Farmers Branch detectives are currently searching for 29-year-old Jhonny Jesus Martinez Serrano, who is believed to be connected to the murder.
Anyone who has information about Serrano’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Farmers Branch PD at (972) 919-1406 or via email at pdinfoandtips@farmersbranchtx.gov.
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