Fugitive recaptured after escaping ICE facility during power outage

In March 2025, two men escaped from a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility located in Aurora, Colorado, during a significant power outage. Geilond Vido-Romero, 24, and Joel Jose Gonzalez-Gonzalez, 32, both detainees at the facility, managed to flee on March 18, just hours after the power disruption occurred. Reports from ICE indicate that the escapees were missing soon after the outage, prompting immediate searches by local law enforcement. While Gonzalez-Gonzalez was recaptured a few days later in Adams County, Vido-Romero eluded authorities for longer. His arrest occurred on April 1, 2025, while he was riding a bus in Denver. U.S. Marshals later confirmed his capture and noted that he is suspected of having ties to the Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua. This gang has been linked to various criminal activities, including kidnappings and assaults in the local area. Vido-Romero's background raised concerns due to these gang affiliations, which have received scrutiny since they have been involved in a range of issues affecting the community. In his history, Vido-Romero had previously been arrested for shoplifting and was found to have an active federal criminal warrant for his escape, in addition to a local warrant for resisting arrest and theft. His case reflects ongoing challenges regarding immigrant criminal activity and the enforcement strategies employed by federal authorities. As the investigation continues, officials will likely evaluate how security at detention facilities can be improved to prevent similar incidents in the future, while addressing the concerns surrounding gang-related activities in the area. Both men were held under local charges prior to their subsequent detention with ICE, showcasing the complexities within the immigration system and its interplay with local law enforcement actions against crime.