Police Search for Teens After Center City Flash Mob Attack Injures Six

The teens are allegedly members of a group that began attacking people after 6 p.m. on Saturday night near 16th and Walnut streets, police said. Two have already been arrested.

iStockphoto.com | artolympic

iStockphoto.com | artolympic

Police have arrested two teenagers allegedly involved in a flash mob attack that left at least six injured in Center City on Saturday night.

Police said a large group of teens came together at 6:10 p.m. near 16th and Walnut streets and began attacking passersby. A 55-year-old off-duty police detective attempted to intervene.

The detective, who was accompanied by his wife, attempted to arrest a teen who was allegedly attacking two young men. During the attempted arrest, several other teens began punching the officer from behind, police said. When the detective’s wife attempted to stop the attack by splashing water on the teens, one of them punched her in the face, according to police.

The teens fled. Shortly afterward, police arrested two 16-year-olds after a 28-year-old man was attacked near 100 South 16th Street. That victim, as well as four others targeted in the previous attack, suffered minor injuries. The off-duty officer and his wife were taken to Jefferson Hospital.

Police are reviewing surveillance footage in an effort to identify other teens involved in the attack. The investigation is ongoing.

Last month, at least four teens were arrested in connection with a series of flash mob attacks that broke out near Temple University.

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