After the Mindless Behavior autograph signing at Ford City Mall in Chicago on Saturday night, 19 teens were arrested in what is being reported as a disturbance; they were actually charged with mob action. The Chicago Tribune reported on Feb. 24 that a group of teens stormed the mall after the appearance with the intention of creating chaos, running through the mall and yelling.
The mall was immediately closed, but a mob of between 100 and 200 people continued their crazed behavior outside, damaging cars in the parking lot. They jumped on top of cars, parked and moving, causing a major traffic jam. Besides the charges of mob action, one teen was charged with battery and another with criminal trespassing. One teen and a bus driver were hurt and taken to a nearby hospital.
Oddly, the 1000 attendees at the event, mostly girls aged 6 and 13 with their mothers, had already dispersed before the older teens entered the mall. The teen boy band, Mindless Behavior, was there from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to promote their new release, "All Around the World”.
Although Sarama, is totally shocked by the incident, the mall did not report any property damage except a broken planter. The mystery is what prompted the incident. Sarama told The Chicago Tribune:
"What would make these youths come here to try and cause this kind of commotion and trouble?" he continued. "I don't know. But they did have a plan in mind."
Earlier in the afternoon, members of the teen band Mindless Behavior had appeared at the mall food court from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to promote their new release, "All Around the World," said John Sarama, the mall's senior general manager.
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