Mob-Nificent Mile: “Large Group” Brings Havoc Back to Michigan Avenue; 4 Battered, 1 Arrest

At least four people were injured and CTA Red Line traffic was snarled as large groups of teens and young adults brought havoc to the Magnificent Mile on Saturday evening. One arrest was made.

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The latest Mag Mile mob scene began around 5 p.m. when a victim reported being battered near the Red Line station at State and Chicago. A man was arrested in connection with that attack.

At the same time, employees of a nearby McDonald’s reported 50 teenagers fighting inside the restaurant at 10 East Chicago. After being pushed from the restaurant, the group headed to Water Tower Place, where a disturbance was reported on the second floor at 5:45 p.m.Police estimated the crowd to be 50- to 60-strong.

Police moved the teens out of the mall and followed the group as it headed east toward the lake and then back to Water Tower, sparking widespread reports of assaults and fighting.

By 6:30 p.m. the mob began making its way back to the Red Line station at Chicago and State. The H&M store reported being struck by a large number of shoplifters and the McDonald’s again reported being overrun by the mob.

Once on the Red Line platform, members of the group began beating up people at random. Three people filed police reports for battery and an ambulance was summoned to treat the victims.

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Saturday’s incident was the latest in a string of similar mob actions along the Magnificent Mile and inside Water Tower Place.

Other cases were reported in early May, on Memorial Day weekend, and on Thanksgiving weekend.

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Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has brushed off the incidents as “kids doing goofy things.”