Officer hurt, 3 teens arrested in brawl near SEPTA station
The incident broke out near the Erie-Torresdale El station after school let out.
An officer was injured and three teenagers were taken into custody as police tried to break up an after-school brawl near a SEPTA station Monday afternoon.
The incident happened near Erie and Torresdale Avenues, on the border of the city's Frankford and Juniata Park sections and close to a Market-Frankford Line station, at about 3 p.m., shortly after the school day ended.
One officer was pushed to the ground and injured in the melee, Inspector Ray Convery told reporters. The officer suffered bruised ribs.
A teenager is facing charges for assaulting the officer, police said Tuesday morning. The 19-year-old, whose name was not released, was treated for minor abrasions he suffered in the scuffle, police said.
In another fight around the corner from the first brawl, an officer had his baton taken from him, Convery said.
Two other teenagers were also taken into custody on charges stemming from the altercations, police said. Their ages and charges were not available.
Police have a presence near the Erie-Torresdale subway station, but the large group of teens "just overwhelmed us today," Convery told reporters.
The so-called "flash mobs" have been a persistent problem in Philadelphia for nearly a decade. Often organized on social media, violence and chaos have erupted in the incidents in which large groups have teens have caused disturbances. Other incidents also led to injuries and arrests for assault and disorderly conduct.