New Jersey

8 Arrested in Brawls at Hamilton Mall

Police say additional charges are pending further investigation.

Eight people were arrested after several brawls broke out at the Hamilton Mall Saturday.

Police were on patrol at the Hamilton Mall in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, for a report of an advertised fight on social media between teens. Several smaller fights occurred at the mall earlier in the day that led to the arrest of a teen girl who was charged with disorderly conduct.

Saturday shortly before 8 p.m., police received reports of large groups of teens gathering in several areas of the mall with one of the groups in the food court area.

"It was chaos," John Snyder, a witness, said. "I've never in my life seen something like that."

As police tried to escort several teens out of the mall for disorderly conduct, several chairs and other debris were thrown, officials said. Several fights also broke out.

"You didn't really see someone pick up the chair, you just saw the chairs flying through the air," Snyder said.

Snyder, who was with his 4-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter at the time, told NBC10 the police were outnumbered.

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"There was pepper spray used to control the situation because I don't know what else they would have done," Snyder said.

A Hamilton Township police supervisor suffered a minor injury during the fight. He was treated at AtlantiCare Hospital and released.

Amir Vaughn, 18, of Mays Landing and Theron Parrish-Jordan, 18, of Mays Landing, were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. Five other juvenile males were also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Hamilton Mall does not limit the number of teens allowed inside at once or require parental supervision. It has zero tolerance policies for fighting, threats, obscenities or causing a disturbance.

Police say additional charges are pending further investigation. If you have any information on the brawl, please call Det. Perna at 609-625-2700 x 542.

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