13 teens arrested as Boston Police break up large fights at 2 theaters on $4 movie day
BOSTON - Boston Police were called in to break up large fights outside two movie theaters Sunday during National Cinema Day. A total of 13 kids between the ages of 12 and 17 were arrested in the two incidents.
It started late in the afternoon outside the AMC theaters in the South Bay shopping center in Dorchester. Police said there was a "large group" involved in a fight and that officers ended up arresting eight kids - two of them were 12 years old, four were 14 and two were 17.
"Officers observed the large group of juveniles causing disturbances. Multiple Juveniles failed to disperse from the area and became confrontational with officers. As officers attempted to apprehend suspects, they were met with resistance by other juveniles who began to assault officers. Officers requested assistance from multiple Districts and the Massachusetts State Police," police said in a statement Monday.
People heading to the movies said AMC employees were turning customers away from the theater as crowds of teens grew too big for them to handle.
"When we went to the movie theater, AMC, they were guarding the door," said Dorchester resident Brittney, who was hoping to see Barbie. "They said they had shut down everything and that we would get an automatic refund for our tickets."
Sunday was National Cinema Day and many theaters in the country were offering $4 tickets.
"I can't think of anything good that happens when you have that many young people that age with no supervision or guidance whatsoever coming into the city," Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said Monday.
Cox urged parents to talk to their kids about the "disturbing" trend of violence.
"This behavior is not kid behavior - this is criminal behavior when you start harming and injuring people in these large groups," he said.
Several stores in the plaza closed early because of the chaos. Target stacked shopping carts up behind the glass doors to ensure no one could get in. Dozens of officers could be seen in cell phone video trying to calm the crowds.
"Always craziness, I'm not even surprised this happened," said Dorchester resident Mayan Isabel. She and her family were on a Target run, only to be turned away. "I was trying to get the baby some diapers and Pampers for the night and I can't even go do that right here, so I have to go somewhere else now."
Less than two weeks ago, police arrested three 13-year-olds at the shopping center after they allegedly attacked a person. Another 13-year-old was arrested for allegedly interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest.
The second incident happened around 11 p.m. Sunday at the corner of Washington and Avery streets near the AMC Boston Common movie theater. Police said several kids were fighting and refused to leave the area.
They said one teen jumped on top of a car and stomped on the roof as officers broke up "multiple fights."
Then, police said the kids surrounded them, swore at them and attacked.
"An officer was pushed to the ground and was continuously punched and kicked by the group. A responding officer attempted to help, was also assaulted by the group to include a juvenile jumping on the officer's back and placing the officer in a chokehold," police said in a statement Monday.
Five teens were arrested. One was 13 years old, three were 14 and the fifth was 16.
All are expected to be arraigned in Boston Juvenile Court.
