STUDENTS BEATEN, HORSE PUNCHED IN SPATE OF FLASH MOB ATTACKS

PHILADELPHIA Four teens have been arrested on assault charges in flash mob attacks around Temple University in which college students were beaten, an officer was knocked down and a police horse was punched in the face, police said Monday.

Police said the attacks were carried out Friday night by bands of as many as 100 boys and girls.

Temple spokesman Ray Betzner said roving juveniles played a “cat-and-mouse game” with police.

In two separate attacks, police said students and others were surrounded and then punched, kicked and robbed by groups of 20 to 30 teens. Arrests have been made in only one of the cases.

In two other incidents that have led to arrests, police said a boy punched a police horse twice in the face as mounted officers were trying to break up a crowd at a street corner, and another threw a Temple officer to the ground.