Eight arrested after mob riot in Antioch
Article Launched: 03/08/2007 01:11:06 PM PST
ANTIOCH - Seven teenagers and an adult were arrested Wednesday afternoon after a mob of 75 to 100 youths turned on police at a popular Deer Valley High School hangout.
The small riot was set off shortly after 3 p.m. when an officer confronted a group of teenagers blocking traffic lanes at Deer Valley Plaza on Lone Tree Way, said Capt. Steve McConnell.
As the officer began issuing a ticket to one of the boys who refused to move, the teen bolted and ran toward Gas City on Lone Tree Way with the officer and the rest of the boys group following close behind, McConnell said.The officer caught up with the boy at the gas station and was taking him into custody when a group of the boy's friends descended on the officer trying to break the teen free, McConnell said.
The officer called for backup. Roughly 12 officers, from Antioch, with assistance from Brentwood police, responded to the shopping center and gas station to help quell the mob, said McConnell.Police struggled with several members of the group, including one person who police say assaulted one of the officers.In the end, seven teenagers and one adult were arrested for interfering and obstructing police, McConnell said. All were later released.
The shopping center, a popular after-school hangout for Deer Valley High students that received regular complaints of loitering teens, saw a similar incident in February 2006. Three teenagers were arrested on similar charges and several officers injured in that case.
Article Launched: 03/08/2007 01:11:06 PM PST
ANTIOCH - Seven teenagers and an adult were arrested Wednesday afternoon after a mob of 75 to 100 youths turned on police at a popular Deer Valley High School hangout.
The small riot was set off shortly after 3 p.m. when an officer confronted a group of teenagers blocking traffic lanes at Deer Valley Plaza on Lone Tree Way, said Capt. Steve McConnell.
As the officer began issuing a ticket to one of the boys who refused to move, the teen bolted and ran toward Gas City on Lone Tree Way with the officer and the rest of the boys group following close behind, McConnell said.The officer caught up with the boy at the gas station and was taking him into custody when a group of the boy's friends descended on the officer trying to break the teen free, McConnell said.
The officer called for backup. Roughly 12 officers, from Antioch, with assistance from Brentwood police, responded to the shopping center and gas station to help quell the mob, said McConnell.Police struggled with several members of the group, including one person who police say assaulted one of the officers.In the end, seven teenagers and one adult were arrested for interfering and obstructing police, McConnell said. All were later released.
The shopping center, a popular after-school hangout for Deer Valley High students that received regular complaints of loitering teens, saw a similar incident in February 2006. Three teenagers were arrested on similar charges and several officers injured in that case.
