Officers have message for parents after teen 'takeover' that closed Short Pump Town Center

In the wake of a social media-organized teen "takeover" that forced Short Pump Town Center to close early Saturday evening, Henrico Police are urging parents to stay informed about where their children are going and what they are doing.

The incident began around 7:10 p.m. when mall security alerted Henrico Police to a large gathering of young people near one of the stores at the popular mall on West Broad Street.

As security and officers approached, the teens scattered throughout the mall and spilled into surrounding roadways, including across all lanes of West Broad Street.

Investigators believe a social media post promoting a "takeover event" drew a large number of middle and high-school-age teens to the mall. And many appear to have been dropped off without adult supervision, according to police.

Police urged parents to help young people make responsible choices when they are unsupervised. Officers said large-scale "takeover events" are a growing nationwide trend and that community awareness is key to ensuring everyone remains safe.

Click here to continue reading on WTVR.com, a Henrico Citizen partner organization.