Metro East teens run amok in theater lobby
By Denise Hollinshed
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
12/26/2006
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS -- Police had to use pepper spray to control an unruly crowd of about 200 teenagers who had gathered in the lobby of the St. Clair 10 Cine when fighting broke out. The melee prompted the theater to close on Christmas.
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Listen to the 911 call to police
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When it was over with, a 15-year-old was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
Police got a 911 call at 9:15 p.m. from an employee identified only as Bonnie at thetheater, at 50 Ludwig Drive, reporting an unruly crowd.
The employee said that fights were breaking out and that a loud large crowd had gathered in the lobby of the theater.
After shouting "Oh my God!" Bonnie reported that some people were even standing on top of video game machines in the lobby.
The first officer at the scene encountered about 200 youths and used pepper mace to try to control those who were fighting. About 20 police officers from six police agencies arrived to try to control the crowd.
No one was injured in the melee, although one person had to have his eyes washed out because of the pepper spray, police said.
On the 911 tape, Bonnie can be heard shouting to customers above the chaotic uproar, "We're closing up -- get out!"
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