200 rowdy teens lighting fires, setting off fireworks forces LA-area mall to shut

 A swarm of 200 teenagers caused a California mall to shut down over the weekend after they mobbed the building, setting fire to a trash can and igniting illegal fireworks, police said.

The “large scale disturbance” incident occurred at the SouthBay Pavilion Mall, in Carson, at around 5:20 p.m on Saturday, according to the  Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies quickly arrived at the scene, ordering the large group to disperse, with officers detaining 60 to 70 teens when they refused.

3

Officers arrested dozens of teenagers who set off fires and fireworks inside California’s SouthBay Pavilion Mall.NBC Los Angeles

3

Officers responded to calls of about 200 teens swarming the mall on Saturday evening.NBC Los Angeles

00:00

03:56

“Deputies detained multiple juveniles who were issued citations in relation to the incident and will be required to appear in court at a future date,” the sheriff’s department said.

Video from local stations showed dozens of teenagers lined up in the parking lot as officers kept them away from spectators and handcuffed the minors.

Officials spent about five hours clearing the scene and writing the citations for the detained minors, KTLA 5 reports.

Officials said there were no thefts or injuries as a result of the disturbance, but condemned the incident for its impact on local businesses and shoppers.

3

The teens who refused to disperse were handcuffed and given citations.NBC Los Angeles“Criminal activity of this nature is disruptive to our businesses and harmful to our community and will not be tolerated,” the sheriff’s office said.

The authorities added that the incident remains under investigation, with the sheriff’s office vowing to hold those who organized the gathering accountable.

https://nypost.com/2024/07/07/us-news/mob-of-200-rowdy-teens-forces-la-area-mall-to-shut-down/