Police shut down streets near Torrance mall due to large crowd disturbance
Vivian Chow
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Saturday night.
Heavy law enforcement presence surrounded the mall after the incident was reported by Torrance police around 5 p.m.
A large group of people was seen running from the premises as officers in riot gear created a skirmish line near BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse.
The closure was reportedly prompted by a Facebook group where hundreds of juveniles had planned to loot or destroy the Del Amo mall.
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (Citizen)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (Citizen)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (OnScene.TV)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (Citizen)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (Citizen)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (Citizen)
A disturbance involving a large crowd of juveniles shut down streets around the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance on Dec. 30, 2023. (Citizen)
1 / 15
Stores inside the mall were shut down early as police worked to remove the group from the premises. Some shoppers required a police escort to safety.
Citizen video of the area showed a long line of patrol vehicles arriving at the busy shopping center. Traffic was backed up on streets surrounding the mall parking lots.
Locals in the area said they found it very upsetting that criminals were targeting the mall.
“I think it’s crazy,” said Ruby Dorado, a shopper. “I think the laws need to be stricter. There’s no punishment. No one really gets punished anymore so they’re just doing whatever they want now.”
“I grew up here going to this mall,” said John Sun, a mall restaurant employee. “I never thought I would say this but I don’t feel safe anymore because of the juveniles causing trouble. [Retailers] are losing a lot of money because of this stuff happening, so I feel like the parents could do better and Del Amo itself should definitely up their security.”
Officers worked for hours to clear the riotous juveniles off mall property.
It’s unclear if any officers or suspects were injured. At least several juveniles were taken into custody.
Roads that were closed include:
Carson Street closed from Madrona Avenue to Del Amo Circle East
Del Amo Circle East closed from Carson Street to Fashion Way
Fashion Way is closed from Madrona Avenue to Amie Avenue
Drivers were asked to avoid the area at this time.
Footage of the scene can be viewed in the video player above.
