Gilbert police working to determine if 'Goons' are street gang under Arizona law
Gilbert police announced they were working with other police agencies to determine if the "Gilbert Goons" are a gang under Arizona law.
On Monday, Gilbert police issued a statement saying they were collaborating with five other police agencies to "thoroughly investigate any individuals self-proclaiming or being affiliated by others as being associated with the term 'Gilbert Goons.'"
The Gilbert Police Department's street crimes unit is working with the Arizona Gang & Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission, Mesa police's gang unit, Chandler and Queen Creek police and the Pinal County Sheriff's Office.
"It is important to note that this investigation will determine if the 'Gilbert Goons' can be classified, under Arizona law, as a criminal street gang," the Gilbert police statement said.
The move comes after an investigation by The Arizona Republic in December found the Goons, a gang of mostly affluent teenagers, had engaged in a string of blitz-style attacks on other teens in the southeast Valley for more than a year, according to interviews, court and police records and social media posts.
Most attacks occurred in Gilbert. Parents, students and community activists say members of the Goons were involved in the Oct. 28 fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord at a Halloween party in Queen Creek.
Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg said officers never connected the attacks because victims did not specifically mention "Gilbert Goons" — and the department did not have police reports associating the Goons "to any alleged criminal activity."
Gilbert police now have eight active investigations related to teen violence, according to Monday's update. Half are reopened investigations. The others were previously unreported and recently received via online tips.
Members of a criminal street gang can be charged with a felony for participating in the gang. If they commit a felony offense, like aggravated assault, "at the direction of or in association with any criminal street gang," the street gang member can be charged with the added felony of "assisting a criminal street gang."
The reopened cases had no new updates as of Monday, according to department spokesperson Brenda Carrasco.
The previously unreported cases stem from videos that appeared to have been taken in several places in Gilbert. Two incidents appeared to have occurred in parking lots near the Gilbert In-N-Out Burger, one appeared to take place in a parking garage in the Heritage District, and the last appeared to be in a school parking lot, Carrasco said. Police are working to determine when and where the incidents occurred and who was involved, she said.
Last week, in response to residents’ concerns, three Gilbert council members proposed launching a subcommittee to take a deeper look into teen violence. The fate and purpose of the panel are to be determined at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting.
The Gilbert Police Department, according to its website, is reviewing "cases, incidents, investigations, and calls for service involving teens from the last two years." This review is meant to determine if there are connections among incidents. The department is also looking into whether past incidents have links to the seven people Queen Creek police are seeking criminal charges against in Lord's murder.
Gilbert police will continue increased patrols of high-traffic areas "often frequented by teens," including in and around SanTan Village mall and Gilbert's Heritage District, according to Monday's statement.
Anyone with information related to teen violence incidents is encouraged to report it to Gilbert police by calling 480-503-6500 or using the department's online tip form.
Elena Santa Cruz is a criminal justice reporter for The Republic. Reach her at elena.santacruz@gannett.com or 480-466-2265. Follow her on X at @ecsantacruz3.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Gilbert Goons' could be a gang under Arizona law, police say
