The Harpys name is derived from the American Harpy Eagle, which is the largest and most powerful raptor found in America. They consist of two sub-sets, the Harpys ''Dead End'' and the Harpys ''Wild Bunch''. These two cliques were local football teams, both emerged as one with the larger Harpys gang. They consist of multiple cliques such as the 25th Street Tiny Locos (LCS), 27th Street Chicos Malos (CM), 28th Street Dukes (DKS), 39th Street Tokers, and the 5th Avenue Midgets (MGS).
Harpys Dead End are a predominately Latino Street gang located in the Willowfield section in South Los Santos. The gang formed in the 1960s. Ricardo ''Midget'' Morales is one of the first Mexican Mafia members from Harpys, and he has been in prison for a 1984 murder that occurred in Los Angeles. He was stabbed and killed in prison in 2020.
In 1988, journalist Josh Black interviewed several Harpys members on Elbert Street near Willowfield Dead End outside the laundry-mat.
In 2010, numerous disgruntled Harpys members agreed to inform against Ricardo Morales because of frustration stemming from the demand of high taxes by Morales. The investigation led to the arrest of Morales’ daughter, Vianna, who was allegedly taking care of gang business for her incarcerated father. In 2015, after pleading guilty, she was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison. Efrain Gonzales, 38, of Harpys was sentenced on to 27 years in federal prison from the same indictment.
