Gilbert teen violence: Police announce 3 more arrests
GILBERT, Ariz. - Gilbert Police officials have announced more arrests in connection with a string of teen violence that has rocked the East Valley community in recent months.
In a statement posted to the department's Facebook page on Jan. 31, officials said they arrested three people in connection with three teen violence-related cases. The arrests happened on the same day they were announced.
Of the three suspects, Gilbert Police identified one of them as a 17-year-old, while the other two were identified as 18-year-old William Owen Hines and 20-year-old Jacob Pennington.
Investigators say Hines, Pennington and the 17-year-old were arrested for their alleged involvement in an assault incident that happened near Williams Field Road and S. Market Street on Dec. 2, 2022. Hines and the 17-year-old were also arrested for their alleged involvement in an assault incident that happened outside of a home near Higley and Riggs Roads on Nov. 22, 2022.
Police are also accusing the 17-year-old of being involved in an assault that happened at a parking garage near Vaughn Avenue and Gilbert Road on Dec. 3, 2022.
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"To date, the Gilbert Police Department has made a total of 35 arrests involving incidents of group teen violence, including 22 arrests within the past 31 days," read a portion of the statement.
Jacob Pennington (left) and William Hines (MCSO)
This latest round of arrests came days after three people were arrested in connection with various incidents. On Jan. 30, it was announced that 19-year-old Deleon Haynes and a 17-year-old were arrested in connection with the Aug. 18, 2023 assault of a 16-year-old in the area of Williams Field Road and Market Street.
On Jan. 29, Gilbert Police announced the arrest of 18-year-old Kyler Renner in connection with the beating of a teen outside the home near Higley and Riggs.