MESA, AZ — Six teens were arrested after multiple fights broke out at Skateland Mesa late Saturday night, according to police.
The Mesa Police Department says they were dispatched to Skateland located near Southern Avenue and Mesa Drive around 10:30 p.m. for reports of juveniles fighting.
When police arrived, they said "disruptive behavior and fighting was occurring inside the establishment with approximately 1,000 individuals in attendance."
Additional units arrived on scene as "hundreds of individuals were seen running from the area," Mesa police wrote in a media statement.
Police temporarily closed down Southern Avenue to ensure people were leaving the area safely.
As police were shutting down Southern Avenue, fights were still occurring inside and outside the indoor rollerskating venue.
See raw video of the incident below:
Police say at least five different incidents were reported, and during the incidents, three Mesa officers were assaulted. The officers sustained minor to no injuries. Six juveniles, with ages ranging from 13 to 17 years old, were arrested and referred to juvenile court, police say.
Gilbert resident, Joey Nugent, drove by the scene Saturday night and described the police presence as "unbelievable." "I don't know if it was overkill or what. I suppose when you got a bunch of kids in there, they probably want to protect them all."
Skateland Mesa released the following statement on Facebook Sunday in response to the incident.
While police say there were 1,000 people, Skateland's General Manager Crissela Aguilar said there were just over 500 people in attendance Saturday night.
Skateland typically sees around 180 skaters on Saturday's. The over 500 attendees were unexpected. Aguilar attributes the massive turnout to a free entry promotion. Skaters got in free before 8:30 p.m.
Skateland says they will not continue this promotion. However, they have run this promotion in the past and at most seen 200 attendees.
To keep skaters safe in the future, anyone 17 and under will require a chaperone unless they bring their own skates.
Aguilar says, "We have a good group of kids who love roller skating and come on a weekly basis. We didn't want to punish them."
Skateland will also be ending skate night on Saturday's at 11:00 p.m. instead of 11:30 p.m.
These new policies will not affect other locations because, according to Aguilar, those locations see more kid skaters than teen skaters.
