It began with word of mouth and social media.

Young people and their parents began sharing information about encounters with a group of young thugs who have been terrorizing parts of the southeast Valley.

It took time to understand, but eventually people in Gilbert and Queen Creek were seeing patterns in what turned out to be a series of violent attacks on teens.

A group that calls itself the “Gilbert Goons” may have begun as far back as 2022 physically assaulting young people in mall parking lots, fast-food joints, town parks and at house parties.

They have seriously beaten and injured teenagers, sometimes using brass knuckles, and they’ve sent some to the hospital with broken bones.

Parents and their children have alerted police that “The........

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