ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Nine teenagers were arrested after fights broke out during an unsanctioned “Teen Takeover” at ICON Park Saturday, Orange County Sheriff John Mina revealed Monday.
“Some are charged with battery, some are charged with resisting law enforcement, some are charged with battery on a law enforcement officer,” Mina said. “So it comes with significant penalties.”
Mina told reporters that he had personnel stationed at ICON Park ahead of the surge of crowds due to chatter online.
News 6’s Mike Valente asked Mina if there were any common denominators in the teens’ conversations with deputies that could speak to what had drawn them to attend the “Teen Takeover” at ICON Park Saturday.
“No, just a thing to do because they know there are going to be a lot of kids their age there and something to do,” Mina said.
He said that more than 1,000 teenagers showed up before the situation devolved and fights broke out. Two deputies suffered minor injuries as they tried to break up the fights.
“It’s hard to corral,” Mina said. “But eventually we were able to get them to clear out of the park.”
Mina also said he is aware of intentions for another “Teen Takeover” on May 9.
“To those people who might plan on going there, just know that we are going to have dozens and dozens of deputy sheriffs there,” Mina said. “We will have transport vans ready to take you away in handcuffs if you break the law.”