New Jersey
‘Over 300 youth’ descend upon New Jersey mall, sparking massive brawl planned through TikTok: officials
Hundreds of youths descended upon a north Jersey mall Saturday night in a meet-up that was reportedly pre-planned on TikTok and led to a massive brawl.
Seven minors were arrested in the chaotic melee that was spurred by TikTok posts calling for juveniles to meet up at the Menlo Park Mall in Edison, New Jersey, that night, according to officials and local reports.
The out-of-control gathering soon grew exponentially from just 100 people to “over 300 youth” from across the Garden State shortly after 8 p.m., Edison Mayor Sam Joshi wrote on social media.
At least four of the seven minors who were arrested were from other towns, according to Joshi.
Edison police had to call for back-up from neighboring police departments to clear out the hooligans.
As cops worked to get the rowdy crowd under control, one officer fractured their ankle, Edison Police Chief Tom Bryan told My Central Jersey.
None of the youths were injured and no weapons were recovered, cops said.
Of the seven arrested, one was charged with aggravated assault on an officer, and six others face disorderly conduct charges. One person was charged with both disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, Bryan told the outlet.
Some participating youth shared posts on TikTok and Instagram leading up to the swarm, telling people to show up at the mall at 7 p.m.
It’s unclear if any of the posts advertised a fight or if it was intended for some other kind of event, but Bryan confirmed that TikTok played a role in the huge crowd.
One TikTok shared last Tuesday that pitched a “Menlo Mall Linkup??” received over 9,000 likes and 156,000 views. The user posted about the meetup again on Thursday.
Videos later capturing the chaotic scene quickly went viral on TikTok overnight as teens wreaked havoc, screaming and running from officers while they were making arrests.
Impromptu fights spurred by social media meet-ups have resulted in slews of minors being arrested in the last year.
In October, “mass chaos” broke out at the Kings Dominion theme park just outside of Richmond, Va, following a social media callout. No one was arrested after 14 deputies responded to the scene.
In November, an armed teenage gangbanger lost hold of his gun during a fight at a mall in Long Island. A bystander kicked the weapon further away from the teen in a video released in early May.
The Post reached out to the Edison Police Department for comment.
New Jersey
Rock legend Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal at Hard Rock Atlantic City
Watch CBS News
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
Steven Van Zandt celebrates New Jersey launch of Malvado Maple Mezcal
Photo by HughE Dillon
New Jersey
NJ Burglars Target These 10 Hiding Spots First
Do you have a secret spot in your home where you hide your valuables?
Do you think that it’s very safe and a would-be burglar wouldn’t think to check?
Unfortunately, that spot may not be as safe as you would hope. Burglars have a few spots in your home they will check first after they break in, and it very well may be your “super safe secret spot.”
Toru Kimura for Unsplash
Do you hide things in your sock or underwear drawer?
It may be a good way to hide things from your kids, but obviously, a burglar is going to check there first.
Keep Scrolling to Find Out The Other 9 Places
How Common is Burglary in New Jersey
The majority of crimes in New Jersey are property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft. In 2021, NJ residents reported 103,761 property crimes.
This breaks down to a property crime rate of 11 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Though this crime rate is below the national average, you still have a 1-in-89 chance of becoming a victim of property crime. Criminals in New Jersey often target homes to steal electronics, jewelry, and other expensive items.
Reconsider Where You Are Hiding Your Valuables
I hope you are never the victim of a burglary, but if you are, at least you can make it a little harder for a crook to find your valuables.
Reader’s Digest recently talked with Chris McGoey of McGoey Security Consulting and Robert Siciliano, a security analyst with Hotspot Shield.
Using information from these two experts, the magazine determined that these are the 10 spots burglars are most likely to check.
Andrey Pipov for Unsplash
10 ‘Secret Spots’ Burglars Check First When Invading New Jersey Homes
Gallery Credit: Eddie Davis
Local Favorites: Top 10 Atlantic City Casino Restaurants
Gallery Credit: Eddie Davis
New Jersey
New Jersey mom hits jackpot at casino slots in Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY (WABC) — A mom from New Jersey brought home more than flowers for Mother’s Day, raking in a jackpot worth over a hundred thousand dollars at a casino in Atlantic City over the holiday weekend.
Jacqueline B, a mom from Toms River, NJ, placed a $5 bet on a Dragon Link slot machine at Ocean Casino Resort on Saturday.
She hit the jackpot, winning $101,566.53 to be exact.
The jackpot paid out $101,566.
Jacqueline hasn’t yet revealed how she plans to spend her newfound cash.
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