Cops arrested 18 teenagers who they say ran wild through the Mall at Bay Plaza in the Bronx on Presidents’ Day, where they allegedly busted windows and damaged property, police said Tuesday.
More arrests are expected as detectives review surveillance videos from the mall, as well as videos of the mayhem shared on social media.
More than 200 teens, taking part in a “takeover” event that was promoted online, were recorded acting unruly both inside and outside the mall, where they were recorded being chased by and brawling with responding officers.
Images taken in the aftermath of the takeover event show broken store windows and damaged benches.
Police said that 18 teens were taken into custody after they were repeatedly told to disperse but didn’t. Seventeen of them were under 16 years old and were given summonses for unlawful assembly, cops said.
One of the older youths, Victor Martin, 19, was charged with unlawful assembly and riot. His arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court was pending.
A similar “takeover” event — where teens are encouraged on social media to flood a specific location and run amok — was promoted online for the Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Belmont, also in the Bronx, on Tuesday, officials said.
It was not immediately clear if any crowds showed up Tuesday. A takeover event with 300 teens happened at the trampoline park in December, which sparked a police response.
City public schools are closed this week for midwinter recess.
In an effort to dissuade teens from taking over malls and public spaces north of the Bronx, the Yonkers Police Department posted a message on X reading: “Takeover? Think twice in Yonkers.”
“We have long-established, well-practiced procedures in place for situations like this,” the Yonkers PD said. “These protocols have been developed, refined, and exercised over time, and we are fully prepared to respond to any level of unrest.”