Teen arrested in Saugus mall break-in
SAUGUS — A 16-year-old from Everett has been arrested after he allegedly broke into a Saugus mall and stole a gun and ammunition, law enforcement officials said.
The teenager had broken into Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Square One Mall overnight and was able to bend a rack where the gun was stored.
Saugus police were summoned to the scene at 4:20 a.m. when a burglar alarm at the store went off. The officer who responded saw a broken window.
Police, including SWAT officers, swarmed the mall and people were asked to avoid the area, but it turned out that the youth was not there. Saugus Police Chief Domenic J. DiMella said, “I’m not sure what time he left.”
The youth was arrested late Monday morning at his home in Everett.
“We’re still searching for the weapon that was taken,” DiMella said.
DiMella said police would scrutinize how the guns were stored at the store, but he also noted, “They’ve been storing guns like this for a long time.”
“The Saugus Police Department is at the scene of a break-in at the Dick’s Sporting Goods at the Square One Mall,’’ Saugus police had written around 6:30 a.m. Monday. “One armed and dangerous intruder is believed to be inside.”
There were no reports of injuries, police said.
Mall operator Simon Properties said in a statement around 9:30 a.m. that the Square One Mall would have a delayed opening, although the opening time has not yet been determined.
“Square One Mall in Saugus will have a delayed opening due to the active and ongoing investigation onsite. Law enforcement agencies will provide any updates on the investigation itself, as possible,’’ the company said in a statement issued by Boston public relations firm, Regan Communications. “When an opening time is determined, we will provide an update.”
The company also wrote that “media are not allowed on property.”
Route 1 South, which passes by the mall, remained open.
E-mail and phone messages to the corporate headquarters of the sporting goods chain store have not been returned.
