Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost took to YouTube on Saturday afternoon to address the issue of local teenage violence. This comes in the wake of the recent arrest by the Mesa Police Department’s gang unit of a 17-year-old juvenile associated with the “Gilbert Goons” gang.

Arrest and Charges

The arrest was made in connection with a May 29 assault against another minor in a Mesa park, according to Cost. The juvenile faces charges of aggravated assault. Interestingly, the incident wasn’t reported to Mesa police until Jan. 4, when a man identified the victim as his stepson.

Commendation for Reporting

In the video message, Chief Cost expressed gratitude to the victim’s family for reporting the assault. He commended their courage in making the report and emphasized the importance of such actions in addressing the issue of teenage violence.

Detention and Ongoing Investigation

The teenage suspect has been booked into the Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center, and a judge has ruled that he will remain detained, as per a court spokesperson. Chief Cost confirmed that the case is still ongoing, and the Mesa Police Department will continue its investigation.

Regional Collaboration to Tackle Teen Violence

Chief Cost affirmed the teen suspect’s ties to other cases in neighboring jurisdictions and emphasized Mesa police’s commitment to collaborating and sharing information with jurisdictions across the East Valley. The goal is to address the broader issue of teen violence in the region.

“We still have more to do, and we will not stop until we put everybody in custody that has had anything to do with this case,” Chief Cost asserted. “Whether you’re an accomplice or whether you’re helping them, we’re going to come for you.”

Background on “Gilbert Goons” and Previous Investigations

The Mesa Police Department’s actions come in the aftermath of an investigation by The Arizona Republic in December. The investigation revealed that the “Gilbert Goons,” a gang primarily consisting of affluent teenagers, had been involved in a series of attacks on other teens in the southeast Valley for over a year.

String of Attacks and Tragic Incident

Most of these attacks occurred in Gilbert, with community members linking members of the Goons to the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord at a Halloween party in Queen Creek on Oct. 28. Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg stated that officers had not connected the attacks earlier because victims did not explicitly mention the gang.

Ongoing Investigations

In response to the revelations, Gilbert police have opened multiple investigations related to what they describe as “teen violence” cases. Victims have since come forward, referring to their attacks as being associated with the “Gilbert Goons.”

Conclusion: Collective Effort Needed to Address Teen Violence

In conclusion, the recent arrest and ongoing investigations highlight the urgency of addressing teen violence in the region. Chief Cost’s message and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement across jurisdictions underscore the need for a collective approach to bring those involved in such cases to justice. The community’s role in reporting incidents, as commended by Chief Cost, remains crucial in tackling this pervasive issue.