Mob of teenagers damage police vehicles on Indy’s west side

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — According to IMPD reports, a large crowd gathered just before midnight on Saturday on the west side near 16th Street and Rochester Avenue. That’s just east of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Dozens of police units from several IMPD districts, Marion County and Speedway responded to the scene.

They say about 50 people, most believed to be teenagers, were fighting.

According to police reports, at least two police cars were damaged by teens throwing bricks through the windows. One report details $9,000 worth of damage including a broken rear window and damage to the rear deck lights.

When 24-Hour News 8 crews arrived on scene, they said police were using pepper spray to control the crowd.

It’s unclear if any arrests were made or if anyone was seriously hurt in the mob.

According to city-county codes, any children under 15 would have been in violation of curfew laws which state they cannot be in any public place in the county after 11 p.m.

Sec. 381-101. – Curfew hours for children fifteen, sixteen and seventeen years of age. It is unlawful for a child fifteen (15), sixteen (16), or seventeen (17) years of age to be in a public place in the county at any time during the following curfew hours: (1) Between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday; (2) After 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday; or (3) Before 5:00 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.

Sec. 381-102. – Curfew hours for children younger than fifteen years of age. It is unlawful for a child younger than fifteen (15) years of age to be in a public place in the county after 11:00 p.m. or before 5:00 a.m. on any day.

Following Up

According to police reports, more than 20 officers responded to the call for a disturbance. Officers got there and found a group of 40 to 50 teens fighting in the middle of the street.

Some people living near 16th and Rochester Avenue said they had no idea what happened.

“I was home last night relaxing just watching some Netflix and didn’t have any commotion or anything stirred up to my regards,” said Bryce Daugherty, a resident.

Daugherty said he has lived in the neighborhood since July.

“I’ve seen patrol cars around this area before,” he said. “But like I said I tend to keep to myself.”

Police told 24-Hour News 8 there was a party in the area. Officers got there and found the group in the middle of the street.

Police said they saw one teen with a gun and tried to stop him for investigative purposes, but he took off running. Police caught up with the 16-year-old and arrested him for carrying a gun without a license.

During that time, officers say someone threw a brick through the back windows of two police cars.

“I wish the best for any officers involved I hope nobody was harmed these days it seems like it’s getting kind of crazy out there,” said Daugherty.

Police said an officer was sitting in one of the cars targeted. The brick hit the headrest on the driver side.

Police said the officer had minor neck injuries but should be okay.