Arrest made in Monroeville Mall brawl, more expected

MONROEVILLE, Pa. — Police have made an arrest in a massive brawl at the Monroeville Mall that forced its early closure Friday night.

An 18-year-old female was arrested for disorderly conduct in the brawl, which occurred as about 1,000 children and teens were inside, having shown up in a three to four hour period, police said. As many as six fights erupted around 8 p.m.

Officials are stressing to shoppers that the brawl was an isolated incident.

"A couple things came together there; Nice weather, the holiday season, the juveniles being off of school and off of work," said Monroeville Police Chief Douglas Cole.

Channel 11 learned that it all started on social media, where teens recruited friends to go to the mall. Numerous videos and photos of the fights then began to circulate online later that night.

Cole said Monday that at least two people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

He has met with Monroeville Mayor Greg Erosenko and municipal leaders to discuss plans to ensure mall safety.

"Monroeville Mall is a very safe, family-oriented mall, and I just want to stress that," said Erosenko.

Despite the brawl, officials said the mall has not had any robberies or car thefts this year, and that crime in Monroeville in general is down.

As a proactive measure, however, police presence is being increased.

Police said more arrests are forthcoming.

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WPXI