(CREDIT: Google Maps)

Eight juveniles ranging in age from 13 to 17 have been charged in connection with a large disturbance that began around 6:30 p.m. Monday (Dec. 26, 2016) at the Fox Valley Mall on Aurora’s Far East Side.

According to an Aurora Police Department news release, the department was called by mall security officers after they observed a large group of teenagers gathering in the food court area. Several police officers arrived on the scene, including a police sergeant who was working an extra duty detail job at the time.

The Fox Valley Mall (CREDIT: Centennial Real Estate)

The officers, along with mall security, told the youths to disperse. Shortly thereafter, a large fight broke out, followed by several smaller altercations. While trying to break up the larger fight, the Aurora police sergeant and a mall security employee were both battered. The disturbance quickly escalated as the crowd refused to obey police and security personnel orders with some of the teens throwing drinks and other items.

With more than 1,000 patrons in the common area and other patrons shopping throughout the facility, Aurora police made the decision to evacuate and close the mall for the safety of everyone on the premises. The mall was closed for about one hour while police contained and controlled the situation.

Aurora police received assistance from the Naperville, Woodridge, St. Charles, Geneva, Kane and DuPage County sheriffs offices, Illinois State Police, Fox Valley Park District and the West Chicago Police Departments. In total, about 75 officers restored order at the mall.

All of the charges lodged are misdemeanors, but police are not ruling out enhancing them to felonies. They also say more arrests are possible.

The eight juveniles include a 17-year-old girl charged with battery and resisting police; a 15-year-old girl charged with resisting police and disorderly conduct; two females, ages 13 and 15, and a 15-year-old male charged with battery; and two 14-year-old males and a 16-year-old female charged with obstructing police. All of the youths are Aurora residents except for the 15-year-old girl charged with resisting and disorderly conduct. She lives in North Aurora.

No one involved in the altercations, including police and mall security, required immediate medical attention, nor were there any injuries to mall patrons.

Aurora police continue to investigate what role social media may have played in organizing the disturbance and what connection the disturbance may have to other similar incidents that were reported in several cities across the nation. The motive behind the disturbance is not yet known.

Anyone with information is asked to call Aurora Police Investigations at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000. Tips can also be submitted through the Aurora Police Department’s free app available from iTunes, the Android Market, or Amazon App Store. Simply search for “My Police Department”, find the Aurora Police, and download.

Aurora police continue to work closely with Fox Valley Mall security to assure the safety of businesses and patrons including conducting extra patrols in the immediate future.

SOURCE: Aurora Police Department news release