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9 arrested after assault by teens caught on camera in Baltimore

Posted at 10:41 AM, Mar 08, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-09 06:18:09-05

Nine juveniles, including a 12-year-old boy, were arrested for beating up a man in the middle of the afternoon in Baltimore. 

Police have the entire incident on cell phone video. 

It happened Tuesday right in front of the state attorney's office. In the video, the victim didn't provoke the kids at all and still they proceeded to hit him, kick him, even throw objects at him and steal his cell phone. 

From the very beginning, it's startling video. A group of teens wrestling with an unsuspecting man in the middle of the afternoon. 

"We're fortunate that this situation didn't end with anyone seriously injured whether it be a victim or a suspect," Chief T.J. Smith, with the department, said. 

He adds the situation did leave him concerned. 

A witness caught the teens attacking the man on cell phone video who, according to investigators, didn't provoke the kids in any way. 

"This is problematic. We can't have things like this happening," Smith said. 

The juveniles are charged with robbery and second degree assault -- the pack managing to steal the victim's cell phone. 

"It's one cell phone with a group of people. What are they going to do with it? I mean you get cellphones free these days," Smith said. 

Now Smith is calling for action inside the home. 

"Talk to these young kids because they're out traveling in groups and in these groups, they're committing crimes," he said. 

Crimes that could've been so much worse. 

"Whether it's you punching me or grabbing my hair it's a bit surprising when I don't expect it and it can be frightening to see that many people surrounding you," Smith said. 

The group tried robbing another man on the 300 block of Holliday Street, sending him to the hospital. 

He's OK. 

Commissioner Davis is now planning on speaking to nearby elementary and middle schools about the incident and about going down the wrong path.

RELATED: Several reports of kids assaulting people near Inner Harbor

Watch the video below.(Warning: The video contains graphic language)