An attack on a juvenile in mid-January — an attack believed to be tied to a gang recruitment — led to the arrest of five other juveniles and one 18-year-old.

According to Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley, on Jan. 19, “multiple suspects” assaulted a 16-year-old juvenile in the 2800 block of Monroe Street.

“Through our investigation, we learned that at least six suspects were involved in the assault and that the assault was in response to the suspects attempting to force the victim into a gang by beating him,” Riley said. “At this time, we are not in a position to release which particular gang was involved. We are still working the investigation.”

The victim was able to identify the six individuals ranging in age from 14 to 18-years-old. Five of the suspects were students at Southside High School while one was a student of Tipton Middle School.

“As a result of information gathered during our investigation, we were able to make arrests Tuesday,” Riley said. All were charged with compelling street gang membership, which is a felony.

While the five juveniles were placed in the Dallas County Detention Center, the adult — 18-year-old Alvin James Bolden — was placed in the Dallas County Jail under a $15,000 bond.