By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — Some Friday shoppers at Southland Mall couldn’t wait for the scheduled 8 a.m. opening. At 5:30 a.m., about 100 “unruly” people from a crowd of 300 forced open doors and damaged mall property before police took control.
Taylor police — with assistance from officers with Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Southgate and Brownstown Township — responded to the mall where large crowds were gathered, believed to be awaiting a limited-bargain offer for Nike Air Jordan shoes.
Taylor Police Cmdr. Mary Sclabasi said about 100 people gained entry through the mall doors between J.C. Penney and Best Buy.
“The crowd forced their way in by pulling the main doors open,” Sclabasi said. “Once inside, there was some minor interior damage to decorations and benches that were toppled over during the scuffle.”
Police arrested a 21-year-old Detroit man and will pursue charges of inciting to riot.
No injuries were reported, and the mall re-opened at 9 a.m.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)