Snapchat-planned, rowdy teens fight again at former Franklin Mills mall
Three teenage boys were arrested after a large crowd of juveniles caused a disturbance Tuesday evening at the Philadelphia Mills mall in Northeast Philadelphia, police said.
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Four teenage boys were arrested after a large crowd of juveniles caused a disturbance Tuesday evening at the Philadelphia Mills mall in Northeast Philadelphia, police said.
It was the second night in a row that rowdy teens caused trouble at the mall, said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
And it appeared they were using the social media service Snapchat to plan their convergences, he said.
No one was injured.
Police and mall security met Tuesday morning to prepare a detail in anticipation of further incidents this week because the juveniles have the week off from school, Small said.
About 3 p.m., about 200 teens arrived by SEPTA buses tried to enter the mall and were met by the police and security detail, Small said.
About 30 to 40 were able to get inside and began to run and scream and jump on tables in the food court, he said.
One boy attempted to punch a police officer and was arrested, Small said.
A total of four juveniles, two 14, one 15 and one 17-year-old, were arrested.
They were charged with aggravated assault, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct-fighting and other related crimes.
In total, approximately 300 to 400 juveniles took part in the "flash mob" or in the parking lot kicking cars and being a physical menace to the patrons visiting the mall, police said.
It took approximately two hours to restore order and forced the crowd out of the mall and away from the scene.
Police and mall security will maintain their detail for the rest of the week, Small said.
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