Extra cops called for 'Jordans' release

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A large crowd that gathered outside Lafayette Square Mall early Friday morning ahead of a 7:00 a.m. release of Nike Air Jordan shoes was pushing and shoving its way through the mall doors.

Chopper 8 video showed the crowd of about 300 people surging their way into the mall’s main entrance. The first few people through the doors made a mad dash to the Finish Line store.

Dispatchers tell 24-Hour News 8 officers at the mall were “having problems” after the store apparently sold out of shoes. Additional officers were called in to help manage the crowd.

Within minutes, dozens of officers responded to the mall with lights and sirens.

Police say the crowd literally ripped the doors off their hinges.

The lucky ones who were able to snag a pair of the shoes were asked to leave Lafayette Square Mall via a side door.

Meanwhile, Washington Square Mall also saw a large crowd ahead of the release there.

Overnight, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officers were called to Castleton Square Mall after a crowd there got into a series of scuffles.

Within two hours of the shoes going on sale, at least five pair had appeared on eBay from the Indianapolis area. The shoes, which retail for $175, were selling for up to $500.

The Air Jordan XI marks the latest in a series of shoes bearing the name of basketball great Michael Jordan, dating back to 1985.

The highly collectible line of shoes is estimated to bring nearly $1 billion annually.