Nine people, including five minors, were arrested during a large gathering of teens Monday night in Naperville, police said.
Large groups began to gather downtown Naperville around 5 p.m., according to Naperville police. Several teams of officers worked the gathering, during which “several juveniles and young adults chose to commit violations of state law and local ordinances,” Naperville police said in a enws release.
The crowds were dispersed by 11 p.m. By the end of the gathering, Naperville police issued nearly three dozen citations alongside the arrests, police said.
No injuries were reported. Large teen gatherings, commonly known as teen takeovers, in Chicago have sometimes turned violent, leaving city leaders, parents and anti-violence advocates worried about the trend, where word of the gatherings often spreads online.
“We’ve been very clear on our stance. We want people to come to our city, patronize our businesses, and enjoy all the amenities Naperville has to offer,” Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres said in the release. “But if you break the law, there will be no warnings; there will be no second chances. We’ve tried that approach, and it was met with a lot of disrespect and lawlessness. So, as last night proved, we will not hesitate to make arrests and issue citations for breaking the law.”
A 15-year-old boy from Bolingbrook was arrested for obstructing idenfitication, Naperville police said.
Four 17-year-old boys were arrested, police said. One of them, from Plainfield, was arrested for battery. Another boy from Bolingbrook was arrested for battery, assault and illegal possession of cannabis and tobacco by a minor. Another 17-year-old from Romeoville was arrested for disobeying a peace officer, and one from Aurora was arrested for obstructing identification and criminal trespass to state supported land
Sudais Oyekanmi, an 18-year-old from Aurora, was arrested for obstructing identification. Marshun Smith and Tyler Sims, both 18 from Romeoville, also were arrested. Smith faces charges of attempted aggravated assault on a peace officer and Sims faces charges of battery and obstructing a peace officer.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
