TEENS ARRESTED IN AURORA SHOPPING CENTER RAMPAGE

UPDATE

Six teens - ages 13 to 17 - face charges ranging from assault to theft and disorderly conduct in connection with a rampage by hundreds of youths at an Aurora shopping center, police announced Monday.

The near-riot occurred Aug. 30 at the shopping center near 6th Avenue and Peoria Street. Police ordered the crowd, which spilled into roadways, to disperse.

"The gathering, which was estimated to be between 500 and 1,000 people, appeared to have been organized through social media around an unpermitted event," police said. "What may have started as a social gathering quickly became a significant public safety issue as the crowd grew."

"As officers attempted to manage the gathering, groups entered nearby businesses, including a restaurant and a grocery store," police said. "While some simply ran through the businesses, others vandalized property and stole merchandise."

More than 70 police personnel responded - draining routine neighborhood patrols and other duties.

"Investigators were assigned to follow up on the case and to identify individuals who vandalized two local businesses, causing several thousand dollars in damage," police said. "They also learned of several fights that had subsequently taken place that required further investigation as well."

Police devoted about 180 hours to the investigation. All the suspects are from the Denver area.