A large group of dozens of teens stormed through Ford City Mall and surrounding parking lots Saturday night resulting in more than a dozen arrests.
Video posted to YouTube shortly after the incident show rowdy teens outside of the mall tying up traffic and in one instance throwing a chair at a passing car.
The crowd descended on the mall less than an hour after an appearance by the boy band Mindless Behavior. Mall officials posted to their Facebook page that the event was not related to the later violence:
Thank you to all the Mindless Behavior fans who attended today's meet & greet. Totally unrelated to today's event, a group of unruly teens entered the mall and caused a disturbance. On the recommendation of the Chicago Police Department the mall was closed for the safety of the shoppers and tenants.
There were two minor injuries reported. A total of 19 people were arrested on the scene that saw around 50 squad cars respond, the Chicago Tribune reports. One of the teens was charged with criminal trespassing, one with battery and 17 with mob action, according to the Tribune.
Investigators are still reviewing video surveillance from a bus and several stores in order to identify more participants, the Southwest Chicago Post reports.
A similar event occurred earlier this month at Chuck E. Cheese in Oak Lawn, 4031 W. 95th St. In that instance a group of about 40 teens were disruptive to customers and smashed a Pace bus window.
We all (middle class of working people) should get another job so the government has more of our tax money to support these gang banger punks and the illegals. America is gone.
I would be this information to be pretty reliable since the relative is going to retire soon AND is pretty much a functioning racist. (I say this only to illustrate that they have NO reason to lie or 'hold down' the numbers, as they have NO love for the powers that be OR the potential criminals being mentioned.)
I know many, many people of other races then caucasian that work their butts off for themselves and their family. Instead of writing off all these kids, we need to stick together and help them. Get them a better education, more transportation to get to and from school safely...keep them off the streets. Not take away the little they have to make them rebel against. I find it so disheartening that everyone is so quick to write the kids off instead of trying to find what could prevent this from happening. What could make them better people and see right from wrong. Yes, maybe their parents aren't there for them, but we can be, our education system can be. Getting mad and calling them names is only going to cause more problems for the future. Stop blaming people because of the color of their skin and what type of assistance they receive from the government. If you educate people better...that will ACTUALLY HELP THE FUTURE GENERATION GET OFF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE! HATING THEM AND LETTING THEM FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS DOES NOT!
But they have cell phones and access to computers (or they could just have a smart phone since you can access social media through them)....so they must be okay. Just because one has an iPhone, Coach purse or diamond ring doesn't mean they're financially okay or mentally stable or have the support they need mentally from adults. These are kids, not adults...yes, their parents should be held accountable, but society can give a lending hand or ear to these kids. I am not saying throw money at them...but treat them the way you'd like to be treated is all.