Business owners, residents in Merrick hopeful that police warning will stop teens from terrorizing community
Manager of Island Empanada Alex Melian says the group of juveniles have tried to steal drinks and food from his restaurant.
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Business owners and residents of Merrick say a large group of teenagers have been seen recently loitering, littering and vandalizing property.
Manager of Island Empanada Alex Melian says the group of juveniles have tried to steal drinks and food from his restaurant.
"We've given the warning before that they can't come into the store after what they have done and they still have shown up and they're very disrespectful to a lot of the stores around here," Melian says.
Detective Lt. Richard LeBrun, of Nassau County police, tells News 12, "After several investigations, it appears that some of the vandalism may be contributed to a TikTok trend. The police department is stepping up patrols in the neighborhood, pulling all video that exists and we will then make an arrest."
Residents say children sometimes get into trouble, but some of the reported behavior is unacceptable like stealing and breaking property at a local CVS and HomeGoods store.
The manager of the CVS told News 12 the teenagers constantly come into the store - knock things over, steal drinks and even put a hole in the ceiling.
"That stuff should be zero tolerance for sure," says Brian Aberger.
Neighbors and business owners are encouraged and hopeful by what police say they are going to do.
