TULSA, Okla. — In recent weeks, Tulsa has seen a small spike in crime involving teenagers.
"They're out there using social media, and they're normalizing this kind of behavior," Tulsa police Capt. Richard Meulenberg said. "They're normalizing running around and doing really stupid things."
WATCH: 'You have to know who they're with': Tulsa police speak out on teen crime
The crimes include armed robbery. Kids out playing basketball near the Gathering Place late on Dec. 27 led to a 14-year-old robbing another 14-year-old at gunpoint with a stolen gun outside the Discovery Lab, according to Tulsa Police Department.
"It's insane for anybody to be running around, carrying a gun and robbing people, let alone a 14-year-old," Captain Meulenberg said. "I mean, a 14-year-old, they don't even have a real concept of life yet, and they're out there making horrible, life-changing decisions."
The so-called takeover of Sky Zone by teenagers back on the December 20, unrelated to the armed robbery, but highlighting a similar trend. Trending and going viral, police say, means more than anything for teens.
- Previous coverage>>> TPD: 'Chaotic' scene forced Sky Zone to close early on Dec. 20
"They want people to believe they have this ability to take over an area, but they're just showing you what they want you to see," Capt. Meulenberg said. "This little snippet of this life because they want this pursuit of clicks and likes, and they want to believe that. But in reality, we aren't seeing these massive problems."
Sky Zone's corporate office sent 2 News a statement on Dec. 22 saying the company is reviewing and enhancing safety protocols across all their parks.
A similar planned event at the Gathering Place made rounds on social media but didn't bring a crowd. The privately-run park sent 2 News a statement saying it has security 24/7 and works closely with TPD to help prevent incidents.
Capt. Meulenberg said these groups want you to believe they have power when they really don't.
"Don't buy into the hype that you're seeing on social media platforms, because that's what they want," Meulenberg said.
Police arrested the 14-year-old suspect in the armed robbery case.
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