The notorious Venezuelan prison gang, Tren de Aragua, continues its expansion across the United States, reaching even the most remote corners of the country. Following the arrest of an alleged member in West Fargo, North Dakota, for felony theft, the gang's presence has now been confirmed in 17 states.

Henry Theis, 25, was apprehended in early November after being pulled over for driving without headlights. A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered over $24,000 in cash, believed to be stolen from a nearby bank, along with other suspicious items. Theis confessed to being involved in an ATM "jackpotting" scheme, utilizing a virus to steal funds.

Two additional suspects, Jefferson Rodriguez-Quintero and Ryber Sanchez, were also arrested in connection with the thefts, bringing the total stolen amount to nearly $100,000. This incident follows another recent arrest of a suspected Tren de Aragua member near former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Earlier this year, the gang gained national attention after members reportedly held an apartment building hostage in Aurora, Colorado. They are also linked to high-profile murders, including that of nursing student Laken Riley in Georgia and 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston.

Beyond North Dakota, Tren de Aragua's influence has been documented in numerous states, including Colorado, Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Virginia, Montana, and Wyoming. This information comes from a Homeland Security memo cited in a recent New York Post report.