Latest news with #Colmenares
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Migrant gang member suspected of murder, sexually assaulting girlfriend is arrested
A Venezuelan illegal migrant and suspected Tren de Aragua gang member was arrested in Chicago for a fourth time Tuesday after first being ordered deported under the Biden administration in 2022. Pedro Colmenares, 33, was arrested Tuesday morning on the sanctuary city's west side in a multi-agency bust with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Chicago police and U.S. Marshalls involved, a DHS official told Fox News. Colmenares had a warrant for his arrest for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a former girlfriend in September, whom police said he threatened to shoot. Chicago Pd Says It 'Will Not Assist' With Upcoming Ice Deportations Prior to Tuesday's arrest, Colmenares was taken into custody by Chicago police last month for questioning in relation to a murder, but he was not charged. Instead, he was released on separate misdemeanor domestic battery charges in relation to the sexual assault, Fox News first reported. Since Fox News' report about Colmenares being set free last month, a new warrant was issued for the kidnapping and sexual assault charges that led to the migrant's arrest yesterday. Read On The Fox News App Colmenares was arrested on Feb. 17 and questioned for three days about his suspected involvement in the shooting death of a 25-year-old Hispanic man last September. Chicago police said probable cause existed to place the illegal migrant into custody for murder, but the Cook County State's Attorney's office declined to press homicide charges, telling Fox News it "carefully reviewed" the case and found insufficient evidence and "uncooperative witnesses." Ice Arrest Of Migrant Sparks Anger Protest Before Violent Gang Ties Exposed At the same time, Chicago police wanted to press felony charges on Colmenares for the kidnapping and sexual assault of his former girlfriend last year in Chicago. He allegedly pulled up in a car to the 27-year-old Hispanic woman, telling her to get in "or I'll shoot you." Police say he then drove the woman against her will to a separate location on Chicago's west side, where he allegedly "battered and sexually assaulted the victim" over several days. Prosecutors rejected felony charges in the sexual assault case, also citing insufficient evidence, Cwb reported. Colmenares was hit with misdemeanor domestic battery charges and set free on probation. The misdemeanor charges ultimately were dropped but the Cook County State's Attorney's office announced it found new evidence and a fresh warrant was approved. Colmenares entered the U.S. in September 2022 and was ordered deported by an immigration judge in November of that year, according to DHS. While appealing the deportation ruling, he ended up in Chicago. Two years after the deportation ruling, Colmenares was back on DHS' radar after a weapons charge in the Chicago area last year. DHS issued an ICE detainer on Colmenares, but because of its sanctuary policy, Cook County refused to comply with the detainer, and Colmenares was set free. Police records indicate Colmenares was first arrested in Chicago in February 2024 for a broken taillight, revealing he was driving without a license in an uninsured and unregistered article source: Migrant gang member suspected of murder, sexually assaulting girlfriend is arrested
Fox News
12-03-2025
- Fox News
Migrant gang member suspected of murder, sexually assaulting girlfriend is arrested
A Venezuelan illegal migrant and suspected Tren de Aragua gang member was arrested in Chicago for a fourth time Tuesday after first being ordered deported under the Biden administration in 2022. Pedro Colmenares, 33, was arrested Tuesday morning on the sanctuary city's west side in a multi-agency bust with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Chicago police and U.S. Marshalls involved, a DHS official told Fox News. Colmenares had a warrant for his arrest for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a former girlfriend in September, whom police said he threatened to shoot. Prior to Tuesday's arrest, Colmenares was taken into custody by Chicago police last month for questioning in relation to a murder, but he was not charged. Instead, he was released on separate misdemeanor domestic battery charges in relation to the sexual assault, Fox News first reported. Since Fox News' report about Colmenares being set free last month, a new warrant was issued for the kidnapping and sexual assault charges that led to the migrant's arrest yesterday. Colmenares was arrested on Feb. 17 and questioned for three days about his suspected involvement in the shooting death of a 25-year-old Hispanic man last September. Chicago police said probable cause existed to place the illegal migrant into custody for murder, but the Cook County State's Attorney's office declined to press homicide charges, telling Fox News it "carefully reviewed" the case and found insufficient evidence and "uncooperative witnesses." At the same time, Chicago police wanted to press felony charges on Colmenares for the kidnapping and sexual assault of his former girlfriend last year in Chicago. He allegedly pulled up in a car to the 27-year-old Hispanic woman, telling her to get in "or I'll shoot you." Police say he then drove the woman against her will to a separate location on Chicago's west side, where he allegedly "battered and sexually assaulted the victim" over several days. Prosecutors rejected felony charges in the sexual assault case, also citing insufficient evidence, CWB reported. Colmenares was hit with misdemeanor domestic battery charges and set free on probation. The misdemeanor charges ultimately were dropped but the Cook County State's Attorney's office announced it found new evidence and a fresh warrant was approved. Colmenares entered the U.S. in September 2022 and was ordered deported by an immigration judge in November of that year, according to DHS. While appealing the deportation ruling, he ended up in Chicago. Two years after the deportation ruling, Colmenares was back on DHS' radar after a weapons charge in the Chicago area last year. DHS issued an ICE detainer on Colmenares, but because of its sanctuary policy, Cook County refused to comply with the detainer, and Colmenares was set free. Police records indicate Colmenares was first arrested in Chicago in February 2024 for a broken taillight, revealing he was driving without a license in an uninsured and unregistered car.
Filipino Times
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Duterte's arrest marks progress toward justice for EJK victims, says ex-lawmaker
The arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte represents a major step forward in seeking justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration's drug war, according to Bayan Muna chairperson and former lawmaker Neri Colmenares, along with other progressive groups. In a statement, Colmenares expressed that while Duterte's arrest is long overdue, it sends a strong message that justice can be achieved through persistent effort. Duterte was detained by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in compliance with an International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice, following an arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC). 'This arrest is a significant step toward justice for the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations under his administration,' Colmenares, who also served as a co-counsel for the victims filing the crimes against humanity case with the ICC, said. 'While this arrest has been long awaited, it sends a powerful message that justice can be attained through continued struggle and perseverance. We have consistently called for accountability for the massive human rights violations during the Duterte administration, especially the thousands of lives lost in the so-called 'War on Drugs',' he added. Meanwhile, Teddy Casiño, chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, stated that the fight for accountability is far from over, as many of Duterte's alleged 'conspirators' remain unaccounted for. 'This may be a victory, but the fight is far from finished. Duterte's conspirators are still at large. There is still a long trial ahead. Many lives were lost, and even now, extrajudicial killings and red-tagging continue, despite Duterte no longer being in office,' Casiño said. 'Duterte's arrest is a crucial milestone in the quest for justice. It proves that no one, not even tyrants, can evade accountability. But we must not stop here. True justice is not just about an arrest; it is about court rulings, the imposition of penalties, and ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated. While justice may have taken time, today we take a major step forward,' he added. Over the weekend, rumors spread that the ICC would soon issue an arrest order for Duterte, due to mass murder charges related to his involvement in the crimes against humanity during his war on drugs. At the same time, Duterte, his family, and key allies traveled to Hong Kong to meet with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Duterte is facing crimes against humanity charges for his role in the drug war, during which thousands of individuals were killed. While the campaign was hailed by many, it was heavily criticized by human rights defenders for its violent and bloody nature. Colmenares was among the lawyers representing the complainants, who are relatives of drug war victims, in their case against Duterte before the ICC.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Warrant issued for migrant gang member suspected of murder, sexual assault
An arrest warrant has now been issued for a suspected Tren de Aragua migrant gang member who was cut loose from custody in Chicago last week despite police believing they had probable cause to keep him detained in relation to a murder. Pedro Colmenares, 33, a Venezuelan illegal migrant who already had a weapons charge against him when police cuffed him last week, is suspected of being involved in the shooting death of a 25-year-old Hispanic man last September, Fox News exclusively reported. He is also suspected of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his former girlfriend. Chicago Pd Says It 'Will Not Assist' With Upcoming Ice Deportations Chicago police said probable cause existed to place Colmenares into custody for the murder of the Hispanic man, but ultimately the Cook County State's Attorney's office declined to press homicide charges, explaining they "carefully reviewed" the case and found insufficient evidence and "uncooperative witnesses." Homeland Security had also tried to apprehend him on an ICE detainer for the weapons charges offense in October, but because of its sanctuary policy, Cook County refused to comply with the detainer and Colmenares was set free. Read On The Fox News App Immigration agents wanted Colmenares taken into their custody, having entered the U.S. illegally in September 2022. He was ordered deported by an immigration judge in November of that year, according to DHS. 'He Is Delivering': Trump's First Month Flips Script On Radical Biden-harris Border Policies While appealing the deportation ruling, he ended up in Chicago, where he was roaming freely. But Fox News can now confirm that an arrest warrant has been issued for Colmenares, although the warrant is for the kidnapping and sexual assault of his former girlfriend last October in Chicago. The court document reads that the Colmenares' warrant was issued for two offenses: aggravated kidnapping and aggravated criminal sexual assault with a firearm. Colmenares is alleged to have pulled up in a car to the 27-year-old Hispanic woman and told her to get in "or I'll shoot you." Police say he drove the woman against her will to a separate location on Chicago's West Side, where he allegedly "battered and sexually assaulted the victim" over several days. Colmenares was ordered to appear in person before a judge on March 5 in Chicago. He was ordered to surrender weapons and stay away from the domestic abuse victim, according to a court document, but he was not assigned electronic article source: Warrant issued for migrant gang member suspected of murder, sexual assault
Fox News
02-03-2025
- Fox News
Warrant issued for migrant gang member suspected of murder, sexual assault
An arrest warrant has now been issued for a suspected Tren de Aragua migrant gang member who was cut loose from custody in Chicago last week despite police believing they had probable cause to keep him detained in relation to a murder. Pedro Colmenares, 33, a Venezuelan illegal migrant who already had a weapons charge against him when police cuffed him last week, is suspected of being involved in the shooting death of a 25-year-old Hispanic man last September, Fox News exclusively reported. He is also suspected of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his former girlfriend. Chicago police said probable cause existed to place Colmenares into custody for the murder of the Hispanic man, but ultimately the Cook County State's Attorney's office declined to press homicide charges, explaining they "carefully reviewed" the case and found insufficient evidence and "uncooperative witnesses." Homeland Security had also tried to apprehend him on an ICE detainer for the weapons charges offense in October, but because of its sanctuary policy, Cook County refused to comply with the detainer and Colmenares was set free. Immigration agents wanted Colmenares taken into their custody, having entered the U.S. illegally in September 2022. He was ordered deported by an immigration judge in November of that year, according to DHS. While appealing the deportation ruling, he ended up in Chicago, where he was roaming freely. But Fox News can now confirm that an arrest warrant has been issued for Colmenares, although the warrant is for the kidnapping and sexual assault of his former girlfriend last October in Chicago. The court document reads that the Colmenares' warrant was issued for two offenses: aggravated kidnapping and aggravated criminal sexual assault with a firearm. Colmenares is alleged to have pulled up in a car to the 27-year-old Hispanic woman and told her to get in "or I'll shoot you." Police say he drove the woman against her will to a separate location on Chicago's West Side, where he allegedly "battered and sexually assaulted the victim" over several days. Colmenares was ordered to appear in person before a judge on March 5 in Chicago. He was ordered to surrender weapons and stay away from the domestic abuse victim, according to a court document, but he was not assigned electronic monitoring.
