Police Called to Tame Black Friday Crowd

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Black Friday brought out the rowdy side of a Memphis Toys "R" Us crowd. Memphis Police were called as dozens stormed the store when the doors opened at midnight. There were even allegations of people in the crowd being armed with tasers and pepper spray.

Door busters almost took on a whole new meaning at the Toys "R" Us on Giacosa Place in Memphis, Friday.

We caught up with Toys "R" Us shopper, Karen Vrijens, around 3:00pm. She wasn't about to brave the crowds, saying "people warned me not to come out early so I've been patient; I've only been here a couple hours now."

The toy store opened its doors at midnight. Many who were there say they stood in line for hours, only to be nearly trampled by a late arriving mob of people.

Some say, people lined up shopping carts to keep the late arrivers at bay while others were reportedly armed with tasers and pepper spray. Memphis Police were called to the scene.

Shopper Kentonio Crutchfield says, "Wow! That's crazy, that's a bit too much, it's not that important."

Memphis Police say there were about 50 people storming the store at the same time but they say the crowd calmed once they got there. They could not corroborate reports of people in the crowd being armed with tasers and pepper spray.

Kathleen Waugh, a spokesperson for Toys "R" Us, confirms they called police because of concerns with the large crowd. "The crowd was organized before entering the store, we cannot account for how people act in line," said Waugh. "Our obligation is to ensure the safety of everyone before they enter the store and that's what we did."

Nationwide, there were large crowds outside many Toys "R" Us stores. YouTube video shows police arriving as a crowd formed outside a Pennsylvania Toys "R" Us.

No one can deny the great sales. April Mathis and her family drove to Memphis from Forrest City, Arkansas, to take advantage. Mathis says, "we drove for about an hour and a half to Toys "R" Us because they always have great deals."

By Friday evening the Memphis toy store seemed back to normal with a full parking lot and a continuous flow of customers, although shoppers say the inside was a disaster.

"Things everywhere, baskets everywhere."

"You can really see it in the store; it's a big mess at the moment."

Memphis police say no one was injured and no arrests were made during the morning melee.