The scourge of teen violence in Gilbert has triggered another investigation by local police, marking a concerning uptick as the number of cases being probed now hits 12. Gilbert Police Department, in a quest to curb this alarming trend, has extended a public plea for assistance in cracking several of these cases, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
During August 2023, an assault in a parking lot and another incident near Guadalupe Road and Freestone Parkway remain mysterious. Police are working to identify the individuals involved and the exact timing of the incidents. Anyone with information can contact the GPD directly or submit a tip online, according to FOX 10 Phoenix.
Police Chief Michael Soelberg, at a recent news conference, showcased a chilling video clip from one of the cases. It captured two assailants attacking a teen in the passenger seat of a car. While the attackers are known to the authorities, the people within the car, both the driver and the victim, remain unidentified. Adding to their troubles, the department is scrambling to identify participants in three further incidents, including a parking garage assault and a robbery involving two juveniles, as ABC15 detailed in their report.
Soelberg's statement pulled back the curtain on a wider, sprawling issue as he revealed that 40 arrests have already been connected to teen violence since last February within Gilbert alone. Various agencies, now including local, county, and even state entities, are digging into the doings of a troublesome group known as the "Gilbert Goons," trying to ascertain if they meet the grim criteria of a criminal street gang, according to a statement obtained by ABC15. The Gilbert Police Department urges anyone with information that could shed light on these incidents to make contact, as every detail could potentially help them stitch together the patchwork of events and bring the perpetrators to justice.
