Saturday, August 22, 2009

"Blowout Bash" Promoter Suspected Of Hijacking Vacant Million Dollar Homes For Sale Or In Foreclosure To Throw All-Night Teen Parties

In San Diego County, California, North County Times reports:
  • When the market got down, apparently, so did some kids. But the party may be over for a jailed San Marcos man, charged Wednesday with breaking into upscale but empty North County homes to throw large and destructive bashes for profit. Jovan Peter Araujo, 21, pleaded not guilty to two felony counts each of burglary and vandalism.

  • Prosecutors suspect he was organizing and promoting blowout bashes, breaking into vacant homes and ---- putting the "band" in abandoned? ---- threw parties, charging party-goers $5 a head to attend. Fallbrook Sheriff's Detective Jeff Lauhon said Araujo and friends allegedly scouted secluded million-dollar homes that were either for sale or in foreclosure. [...] "They'd go out and find houses that were vacant, no neighbors, long driveways ---- you know, ideal party houses," Lauhon said. Authorities say the crews used MySpace to alert teens about upcoming parties, and provided phone numbers for kids to call on the day of the party to get the address. Officials say the raves ---- all-night dance parties ---- left trashed homes in their wake, with unsuspecting real estate agents and property owners shocked to find the mess.

For the story, see San Marcos man charged with throwing parties in vacant upscale homes.

In a related story, see Deputies target ‘party crews’ (Vacant homes trashed by throngs of revelers).