Teen Arrested After Brandishing Firearm During Fight at Boca Town Center Mall

Santos Figueroa Alvarenga (Photo: Palm Beach County Jail)

Boca Raton police said Saturday night that an 18-year-old male was arrested after brandishing a firearm during an altercation that took place at the Boca Town Center all during the afternoon.

According to statement issued at about 10 p.m. Saturday night, officers were called to the mall’s food court area at about 2:30 p.m., responding to a report of a fight and possible shots fired. Officers, who were already present at the mall, were first to arrive and made contact with one of the parties involved, identified as 18-year-old Santos Figueroa Alvarenga, of Boynton Beach. The other subjects involved were no longer on scene, said Officer Jessica Desir.

According to the statement, Alvarenga told police he was in the food court with family members but was standing separate from them when he observed a fight occur between “unknown males.” Alvarenga said he watched the fight unfold, and then three males disengaged from the fight and began approaching him aggressively. At that time, Alvarenga “became in fear for his safety so he lifted his shirt to display a firearm in his waistband.” Mall personnel intervened and the three males fled the area.

Alvarenga told officers he did not remove the firearm from his waistband or discharge the firearm at any point. Surveillance video was reviewed and as a result of the investigation, there is no evidence that a shooting occurred, Desir said. Alvarenga, however, was placed under arrest for possession of a concealed weapon by a person under the age of 21.

Alvarenga was later transported to the Palm Beach County Jail. His photo was not yet available. He was being held in lieu of $5,000 bond Saturday night.