'Large Scale Fights' Part Of Long Day At South Shore Plaza

BRAINTREE, MA — An evening of fights in the South Shore Plaza food court that resulted in charges was part of a long day for officers at the mall, according to court records.

Braintree Police confirmed there were numerous large-scale fights involving teens at the shopping center Tuesday night that involved multiple arrests and no serious injuries. Police reports obtained from Quincy District Court and written by Sgt. Philip Yee, patrolman Sean Dias and patrolman Richard Hale, detail a number of challenges for officers and staff at the mall Dec. 26. According to the reports, police learned that there were fights at the mall throughout the day. When officers arrived at the scene, the crowds would disperse and police were left with vague descriptions of the suspects.

Later in the evening, police received reports of tense altercations in the food court. At about 8 p.m., someone brushed up against another person, which led to a shoving match. Shortly afterward, officers observed a group taunting a family of eight. Police said one woman with the antagonizing group was shouting challenges to the family before officers told her to leave. On her way out, she allegedly continued to yell profanities at the group and was on the verge of being arrested for disorderly conduct until another person grabbed her, told her to be quiet and pushed her toward the exit. The two were told by police not to return and were escorted to the bus stop.

Back inside, the family moved towards Dunkin' Donuts and one member told police he was worried because a member of the other group kept grabbing his waste-band as if he had a weapon. The taunting group returned and were ordered by police to get in a nearby elevator and leave. The group refused to leave, and one member of the group — identified in the report as a 17-year-old from Roxbury — became aggressive with police and refused to enter the elevator, according to the report.

That refusal led to a struggle, during which Dante Belizaire, 18, of Mattapan, allegedly went toward the officers. “It appeared that Dante wanted to either tackle officers on the ground or try to pull them off of (the juvenile)," Hale wrote.

The juvenile and his group eventually apologized for his action and left, telling police he was claustrophobic. He was issued a summons for disorderly conduct, assault and resisting arrest. Following the altercations, the food court was shut down and anyone not in line for food or eating was told to leave.

In the Braintree Police Log, Belizaire was the only person listed as being arrested at the mall Tuesday night. He was charged with interfering with a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He appeared in Quincy District Court Wednesday and was released on personal recognizance.

Police have released no information on any other arrests, despite stating on Twitter that a few arrests were made. If there were any underage arrests, they would not be listed in the police log and their cases would be handled in juvenile court, where case information and hearings are usually not available for public access.

Massachusetts State Police, Quincy Police, Randolph Police and Weymouth Police provided mutual aid.

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