DALLAS — Dallas police say four unknown suspects robbed and assaulted a woman in the Briarwood neighborhood near Love Field in an incident that sparked concern across the neighborhood.
Dallas police responded to a home in the 4800 block of Elsby Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday and say an investigation determined four unknown suspects robbed and assaulted a woman. There was no medical transport required, according to police.
Police didn’t release additional information about what happened or provide a description of the suspects.
Police sources tell WFAA there were rumors the incident was connected to the Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua, but there is no indication the incident was gang related.
Dallas City Council member Gay Donnell Willis, who represents the neighborhood, which is bordered by Lovers Lane to the north, Inwood to the east, Horseshoe Trail and Briarwood Place to the north and Elsby Avenue to the west, sent a letter to neighborhood leaders that addressed the incident.
“I’ve received multiple reports of a break-in and assault in the Briarwood neighborhood. Dallas PD is actively investigating the incident and has confirmed there is no indication of gang-related activity,” Willis’ letter reads. “If you have any information or video that could assist in the investigation, please contact my office at 469-435-7505 or Gay.willis@dallas.gov.”
This incident comes after police confirmed earlier this month that a viral video purporting to show a man beaten in Dallas that was rumored to be linked to Tren De Aragua was a year old and showed an isolated incident not linked to gang activity.
Dallas police did confirm at that time, though, that they’re investigating gang activity in the north Dallas area linked to Tren de Aragua.
Other recent reports of activity rumored to be linked to the gang across the country, including in Aurora, Colorado, and in Idaho have also been debunked by officials.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week the state was going to target the gang, signing a proclamation declaring Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization, directing the Department of Public Safety to create new strike teams of highway patrol officers, SWAT teams and more to target areas with known TDA activity.
Abbott’s announcement comes on the heels of reports of false claims by former President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders of Venezuelan gangs “taking over” a Colorado apartment complex.
