14 Arrested After Large Disturbance Of Teens Gathers In Center City Philadelphia
By Todd Quinones, Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It happened again. As soon as the warm weather hit, a large group of students in Center City caused a ruckus, endangered themselves, police and pedestrians.
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has charged 10 juveniles with Conspiracy, Obstructing Highways, Failure to Disperse and Disorderly Conduct.
All 10 defendants are scheduled for a detention hearing Wednesday at the Youth Studies Center in Philadelphia.
Four other teens were also arrested by Philadelphia Police on Tuesday evening, and they are currently being processed by police.
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According to authorities, 11 males and three females were arrested. All of them are teens.
The incident happened shortly after 3 p.m. at 15th and Chestnut Streets. Police reported about 200 people in the crowd.
"It's a concern because this a traffic hub. You're entering into rush hour, so large pedestrian and a lot of vehicular traffic," said Chief Inspector Cynthia Dorsey.
A few teens began fighting and moments later, dozens more started running up and down the street. Philadelphia police moved in to break things up.
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Several arrests were made after police say at least one bottle was thrown at them.
Employees of some of the businesses along Chestnut Street immediately began locking their doors.
"We had a family inside of the store with a baby in a stroller because we didn't want anybody inside the store getting hurt or them completely destroying the store," said Samsun Footwear sales associate Nick Adams.
The students who were arrested were brought to the 9th Police District to be charged.
That includes Thomas Clark's daughter.
He says he brought his daughter up to be humble and to avoid trouble.
"Peer pressure. That is the main word, peer pressure. You want to do what the other kid is doing, what you think is popular, even if it's the wrong way," Clark said.
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Police are also trying to review more surveillance video to try and identify anyone who may have been involved.
The scene that played out on Tuesday is a repeat of similar scenes that have occurred the past few years once the warm weather breaks.
"We're going to pull out all the stops for this. We are going to put things into place to prevent this. Of course we have to work with SEPTA, the police, the community and of course the schools," said Dorsey.
A lawyer representing one of the teens arrested says charges will likely be filed in connection to disorderly conduct and causing a riot.
No one was seriously injured in Tuesday's melee.
As a precaution, police kept a strong presence in the area through the evening hours.
