Police expect to charge two juveniles in Square One Mall attack

Saugus Police detectives have identified two “persons of interest” who were allegedly involved in last week’s Square One Mall attack on a woman and three children in the mall parking lot. The Police Department released a copy of a surveillance photo to Greater Boston media outlets, which led to the identity of the juveniles.

“Due to the overwhelming response from the public, detectives were quickly able to pinpoint their suspects,” according to Kelli O’Hara, a spokesperson for Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli.

“The two young men are juveniles, so their identities will not be released. Saugus Police want to thank everyone for their help,” O’Hara said.

Chief Ricciardelli told The Saugus Advocate this week that the two juveniles – one from Revere, the other one from Malden – are 15 years old.

“Our detectives are still working on the investigation, we expect to file the charges with the Lynn Juvenile Court on Friday,” the chief said.

The incident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 24. Police responded to the mall after a woman reported that she and three minor children were assaulted while in the mall parking lot, according to a press release issued last week.

“The victim and children had exited the mall after shopping, returned to their vehicle, and discovered two young men who broke inside,” O’Hara said. “The victim confronted the two individuals, at which time they exited the vehicle, one of them displayed a knife, while the other punched an 11-year-old victim in the stomach. The two individuals fled on foot toward the lower-level bus stop area of the mall; the victim reported to police that they laughed as they ran away. The victim then got into her car and drove to an area where she felt safe and called 911.”

Initial reports described the two male suspects as 18-20-year-old males, wearing all black in color clothing, black beanie-style hats and black masks. Police were aware that several witnesses observed the incident. Chief Ricciardelli appealed to the public for help in capturing the suspects.