GILBERT, Ariz. — The group known as the "Gilbert Goons" can meet the qualifications for being classified as a street gang, police agencies in the East Valley announced Thursday.
But Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg said there's currently no sufficient evidence to charge Goon suspects with additional gang-related charges at this time. Under Arizona law, suspects known to belong to a criminal street gang can face more charges or penalties for their offenses.
Law enforcement officials said the Goons can be classified as a criminal "hybrid gang," which differs from a traditional street gang. Hybrid gangs typically have no code of conduct and members may belong to other gangs.
If new evidence surfaces in the Goon cases, law enforcement officials said then gang enhancements could be added onto a suspect's existing charges.
Agencies from Mesa, Chandler, Queen Creek and Pinal County were involved in helping to determine how to classify the Goons group.
Attention on the Gilbert Goons has increased over the last few months following the death of 16-year-old Preston Lord in Queen Creek. Alleged members of the Goons have been arrested in recent months for a number of violent incidents.
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