HOUSTON -- Eight Houston-area teenagers have been arrested after people living in an area of downtown say they terrorized them at a METRO bus stop. Part of it was caught on tape, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

Neighbors and business owners said a group of HISD students has caused fights and tried to rob someone.

The students began congregating at the corner of Commerce Street at Main Street about a month ago, according to residents.

Each morning, there was the usual teenage horseplay. But last week, it escalated.

"It was just running off business. They're keeping the general public from using the metro stop. They stand on the side while the kids take over the metro stop," said Frank Garvey, the owner of Franklin Lofts.

The problem hit critical mass on Tuesday. Two students tried to rob parking lot attendant Jose Lopez outside his parking garage, he said.

"The first guy asked me, 'How late you work?' And when I (turn), the other guy came and tried to take the money," Lopez said.

Lopez chased them down and got his cash back.

But two days later, there was another flare up, officials said.

A fight started in the El Rey restaurant and quickly cleared it.

"People started leaving, and some customers got hit. Some of the people that was here never come back," said Manny Diaz, the owner of El Rey.

The same day, there was another fight on a METRO bus.

Friday morning, METRO police cracked down and arrested four students for disorderly conduct and abusive language.

"One of the students resisted arrest with one of the officers so she filed on for resisting arrest," said Capt. Michael Raney, with METRO Police.

The crowd of students at the stop was much smaller on Wednesday while the police presence was much larger. Four teens were apprehended for curfew violations.

The kids all attend the CEP school in southwest Houston, which is an alternative school run by a Nashville company, officials said. It handles students the district deems to be discipline problems.

The principal told KPRC Local 2 that she was not aware of the arrests until the station called her. She said the school is investigating.

METRO promises to continue to watch the area with extra patrols.