20-Plus Detained to Prevent 'Bash Mob' in Long Beach

By City News Service

More than 20 juveniles were detained as authorities acted to stave off "bash mob" attacks in the shoreline retail zone in Long Beach, police said Monday.

Long Beach police officers went to Seaside Walk and Pine Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Sunday in response to witness reports that around 30 juveniles were fighting, said department spokeswoman Marlene Arrona. "Officers detained several juveniles. Six were cited for infractions, including vehicle code violations."

"Further investigation revealed that additional groups of juveniles were possibly headed to the downtown area from Los Angeles," she said.

In response, Long Beach police and Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies mounted a joint operation that culminated with the detention of around 20 more juveniles, some of whom received citations, police said.

"No local businesses reported being victims of bash mob activity," Arrona said. 

The department has defined a bash mob as a planned, sudden assembly of individuals who attack innocent people and businesses, committing thefts and assaults and damaging property before fleeing.