Posted on March 5, 2013

Flash Mob Thwarted by Police

Alexandria Fisher, NBC Chicago, March 3, 2013

Reports of an organized ‘flash mob’ at the Chicago Ridge Mall sent mall security and store owners into a frenzy Sunday.

Police received tips from school teachers and a Chicago Police Department gang unit that close to 300 teens were planning to collect at the Chicago Ridge Mall.

The mob was supposed to gather around 4 p.m. in the mall, located at 95th Street and Ridgeland Avenue, and sparked storeowners to close shop early.

Nearly 50 police officers crowded the area, but no flash mob occurred.

Officers reportedly saw busses of teens arriving, but retreating once they saw the officers.

The teens tweeted messages later that the plans were cancelled because of too many officers, Chicago Police told Pyzmarski.

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A teen rampage last Saturday injured two people and resulted in dozens of arrests while area youths attended an appearance by music group Mindless Behavior.