GILBERT, Ariz. — Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg got emotional Thursday during a news conference when discussing kids who have been wrongly accused amidst the rash of teen violence cases throughout the East Valley.
The chief said "lies" and "misinformation" are causing harm in the community as law enforcement officials work to solve cases of teens assaulting other teens.
Soelberg referenced a specific instance of a 17-year-old who had been accosted and accused of being a murderer because incorrect information had been shared about them.
"I get emotional about it because I see my kids, I wouldn't want that to happen," the chief said.
The Town of Gilbert can't have "vigilante justice" solving these cases, Soelberg added.
Several arrests were made this week in connection to separate cases involving teen violence and the chief said investigators are continuing to exhaust all leads submitted to the police department.
During Thursday's press conference, the chief said progress is being made on determining whether a local group known as the "Gilbert Goons" could qualify as a criminal street gang under Arizona law.
A total of 14 arrests have been by Gilbert police in recent months for cases involving teen violence.
Two of the teens arrested this week were allegedly connected to a 2022 case involving an adult who was assaulted by a group at a public garage.
Soelberg was asked why it took so long to make those arrests, especially since the garage has several security cameras that should have captured the incident.
The chief said he's looking into why his agency didn't receive copies of the security footage upon initial request.
Attention on cases of teen violence started to increase following the death of Preston Lord, the teen student killed during a party in the East Valley last year.
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