Скачать или смотреть 'Several altercations' lead to 20 arrests at Summit Mall, sheriff claims one teen punched deputy

Nearly two dozen people under the age of 18 were arrested after authorities say "several altercations" broke out in and around Summit Mall in Fairlawn Thursday afternoon.

According to releases from the Fairlawn Police Department as well as the Summit County Sheriff's Office, the "disorder" involved "a surge of unsupervised juveniles" both inside the shopping center and in the parking lot. As law enforcement "worked to restore order," the mall was forced to close at 5:30 p.m., 30 minutes earlier than scheduled.

"This situation has become a recurring issue that we have been anticipating and preparing for," Fairlawn police said in a statement, in reference to similar incidents that have plagued the mall in recent years. "In light of past incidents, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, along with Bath and Copley Police, provided assistance to our agency."

This all happened on "Boxing Day." Dec. 26 is recognized in Canada and the United Kingdom as a day to score on good deals and go shopping. However, Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree tells 3News that over the last four years in Akron, the day has taken on a different meaning.

"Well, the kids in our community apparently have decided to take Boxing Day to a different level and, literally, (are) boxing, fighting," Fatheree said.

According to Fatheree, multiple deputies were assaulted, including one who was injured before being treated and released by members of the Fairlawn Fire Department. The sheriff claims a teen girl punched the deputy in the face and was charged with felony assault on a peace officer.

Annabelle Childers reports: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/loc...