‘Lawlessness’: Hundreds of juveniles cause chaos in Mayfield Heights after church festival

MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) — A large group of juveniles caused a public disturbance Saturday night in Mayfield Heights after being turned away from a packed church festival in neighboring Gates Mills, police said.

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According to the Mayfield Heights Police Department, the incident began at about 7 p.m. when the Saint Francis of Assisi Family Festival reached capacity and organizers requested assistance with hundreds of teens still trying to enter.

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Multiple fights broke out between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., police said.

Officers pursued two males who were suspected to be armed. One suspect was apprehended and is facing criminal charges.

According to police, the festival was shut down 30 minutes early as tensions escalated.

An estimated 300 to 400 youths then crossed into Mayfield Heights, where residents soon began reporting trespassing and disturbances, police said.

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Police said the group gathered near Eastgate Plaza, where they vandalized businesses and stole items.

Officers from multiple jurisdictions, including Lyndhurst, Highland Heights, Mayfield Village and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, joined Mayfield Heights police in responding to the chaos.

About a dozen businesses were advised to temporarily lock their doors. In one case, officers deployed pepper balls to break up a confrontation involving physical violence.

“It took 35 to 40 officers nearly three hours to bring the situation under control,” Mayfield Heights Police Chief Anthony Mele is quoted in a press release.

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Dozens of juveniles were arrested. No serious injuries were reported.

City leaders and church organizers plan to meet in the coming weeks to review the events and discuss changes for future festivals.

“We have a responsibility to our residents, businesses and public safety personnel to ensure that such lawlessness is not repeated,” Mele said.

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