BLOOMINGTON- Three teens were arrested on felony charges and referred to juvenile probation following a fight Tuesday, according to a statement Wednesday from Bloomington Police Captain Ryan Pedigo.
Officers responded around 9:25 p.m. to the area of W. 13th and N. Illinois Street due to a report of a fight in progress, according to Pedigo’s statement. The call indicated around ten people were fighting but had begun to separate.
Police had responded to the area around 8:10 p.m. the same evening to a report of people arguing and displaying guns, but the group dispersed when officers arrived, Pedigo wrote.
After officers arrived the second time, a neighborhood security guard told them a group had gathered near Illinois Street and Illinois Court and begun fighting. He pointed out two males — a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old — who were involved in the fight, including one who possessed what the guard believed was a handgun. Police later determined the gun was an Orbeez-brand toy replica of a Glock handgun.
When officers approached the two males, they began to walk away, telling police they were juveniles. Officers advised them they were not free to leave, as they needed to talk to them about the fight, and the police needed the juveniles’ parents present to interview them.
When the 13-year-old did not comply, officers attempted to detain him, Pedigo wrote. He physically resisted, and he and the officers fell to the ground. The 13-year-old refused to allow officers to restrain his hands. The teen continually attempted to reach into his waistband.
At the same time, the 14-year-old rushed toward officers detaining the 13-year-old but was stopped by other officers. He resisted them and attempted to grab the officer, detaining the 13-year-old before being handcuffed.
Once officers restrained the 13-year-old, he refused to walk to a police car and was carried by officers, according to Pedigo. They then discovered the teen’s toy gun in his waistband.
