GILBERT, AZ – Four individuals, including two juveniles, were arrested in connection to a violent group attack on a teenager in August, according to Gilbert police. The suspects, 18-year-olds Christopher Fantastic and Aris Arredondo, as well as two 16-year-olds, are accused of assault and robbery of a teen boy in Gilbert. Jail records indicate that Fantastic is being held on a $25,000 secured bond, while Arredondo is also being held on a $25,000 secured bond after appearing in front of a judge Thursday. The two 16-year-olds will be referred to the Maricopa County Juvenile Court.
All four are facing charges related to aggravated robbery and aggravated assault, with Gilbert police continuing to work on identifying additional individuals believed to be involved in the attack. Maricopa County Attorney’s Office prosecutor Brooke Gaunt expressed extreme concern about the safety of the community during the court appearances of Fantastic and Arredondo. She emphasized that the attack caused injury to a minor and was a planned plot against the victim for reporting threats to his school.
In a weekly press conference, the Maricopa County Attorney addressed multiple East Valley teen assault cases, shedding light on the growing concern over teen violence incidents in the area. Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg reported that the agency was investigating a total of nine teen violence cases, with two weeks prior, the department had released pictures from the attack and asked for the public’s help in identifying involved individuals. The attack took place in a parking lot near an In-N-Out restaurant on the night of August 18.
The father of the alleged victim spoke out about his son’s ordeal, revealing that his son is now living out of the country with his mother out of fear for his safety. Prosecutor Gaunt mentioned that while the victim was fortunate not to have suffered permanent physical injuries, he is likely to experience permanent emotional and psychological damage as a result of the attack.
The investigation into the attack on the teenager in August is ongoing, with law enforcement officials in Pinal County confirming that a 20-year-old man is in custody in connection to an attack on a teenager in San Tan Valley in November. The complex and distressing nature of these cases highlights the need for continued efforts to address and prevent teen violence in the East Valley.