GILBERT, Ariz. — Since the start of the year, the Gilbert Police Department has made 22 arrests in connection to their teen violence cases. Some stem from new cases while others come from reopened cases or newly reported incidents.
Many of the suspects are connected to multiple cases. Three of them are connected to an adjudicated theft case where they stole someone's safe with nearly $40,000 of goods inside, including a gun.
Suspects connected to multiple cases
“In January of 2024, we've made 22 arrests related to teen violence. The great majority of these arrests came from information we received from the community," Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg said.
Three of those arrested are 18-year-old William Owen Hines, 17-year-old Tyler Freeman, and 17-year-old Jack Woods.
Both Woods and Freeman are being charged as adults.
All three are connected to multiple incidents.
On November 22, 2022, police say Hines and Freeman were involved in an aggravated assault of a juvenile victim outside a home near Higley and Riggs Roads. Records show they attacked the victim because they were being asked to leave a party. The records say brass knuckles were involved.
RELATED: Teen who was assaulted with brass knuckles speaks at Arizona hearing about bill to ban the weapon
On December 2, 2022, just over a week later, police say Hines and Freeman participated in another aggravated assault at the Gilbert In-N-Out and brass knuckles were used. Two teenage victims were injured.
On December 3, 2022, the next day, police say Woods was involved in a parking garage assault near 72 West Vaughn Avenue in Gilbert. Records show the group involved had recently left In-N-Out and went to the parking garage area.
On December 17, 2022, juvenile court records show Freeman assaulted another teen at a party using brass knuckles.
On December 27, 2022, juvenile court records show Hines, Freeman and Woods committed robbery. Documents say they stole someone's safe which contained valuable watches and jewelry, important documents, and a gun.
The total value of what was stolen was $38,621.
On December 30, 2022, records show Freeman assaulted another teen with brass knuckles.
“If anyone has any information about any crimes that happened in the past, or potentially in the future, please reach out to us and provide that information or in whatever jurisdiction you live," Soelberg said.
Gilbert PD says in addition to investigating another five-on-one teen assault that occurred just last weekend at a park, they're currently working nine active teen violence investigations. Two are threat cases, three are assault cases at In-N-Out, and four are assault cases in other locations in town.
“We anticipate more arrests will be coming," Soelberg said.
Gilbert PD stated they responded to roughly 260 calls for teen-on-teen violence in 2022 and 2023.
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