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Homes For Sale Used As Rave Party Sites

San Diego-Area Parties Leave Behind Thousands Of Dollars In Damage

POSTED: 8:08 am PDT July 30, 2009
UPDATED: 9:06 am PDT July 30, 2009

Million-dollar homes in the San Diego area are being turned into nightclubs by teenagers, and the homeowners have no idea -- until sheriff's deputies arrive to break them up.

Several homeowners said it has happened to at least three vacant homes for sale -- two in Fallbrook, one home in San Marcos.

The teens first spot homes with for-sale signs, reported television station KGTV in San Diego. Then they call the listing agent to confirm the homes are vacant. In two recent cases, teens found an open bedroom window to gain access.

"It's so disrespectful. It's unbelievable," said homeowner Dennis Robbins.

Robbins owns a home in Fallbrook in a gated community that's listed at $1.2 million. On July 3, teens broke into his home through an open window and held a two-day party.

"The family room was full of people," Robbins said.

Photos found online show hundreds of teenagers and young adults with beer and hard liquor, dancing to music played by a disc jockey.

"There were lots of kids and lots of noise," said neighbor, Matt Premo.

According to a real estate agent who sent KGTV the pictures, the partygoers ripped out some wiring. That enabled them to open the home's front gate, giving hundreds of partiers a way in.

"I thought it was the owners' kids having a party," said Premo.

But that wasn't the case. Robbins, and his real estate agent, had no idea until police broke up the party.

A neighbor called the authorities, which finally put an end to the party, but the mess the partiers left behind cost Robbins $8,000.

"We cleaned it up as best we could. There are 10 walls that need to be repainted. You just wouldn't believe the mess that was here," said Robbins.

On July 18, another home on Daisy Lane in Fallbrook was broken into by teens.

Steve Vance with Caldwell Banker said that neighbors called to complain within two hours, which limited the destruction.

"Raves are not nice get-togethers; it's a time to have fun," Vance said. "People had been in the showers, bathrooms, in every room in the house."

He took photos the next day. He said furniture was pushed into other rooms to make room for a dance floor. A painting was destroyed by markers, and cups of beer were left behind. A sticky ooze was caked on the floor, Vance said.

"It was a combination of alcohol and vomit. It reeked, it just reeked," Vance recalled.

The damage to his client's home was about $2,000.

"Thankfully, a neighbor called the police within about two hours, before more damage could be done," Vance said.

Vance said the day before the party he got a phone call from someone who identified himself as Peter Jennings. The person asked Vance if the home was still available and vacant. The caller scheduled a visit with Vance for the following week at the home, but the caller never showed. When Vance called the number he was given, he discovered it was bogus.

"They used me to case it," Vance said.

In both cases, drugs were found inside the home, and dozens of balloons were also left behind. Authorities said teens inhale the balloons with nitrous oxide and then inhale to get high.

On July 10 and July 11, a home on Gordon Hill in Valley Center was also vandalized and used to party.

In all three cases, when deputies arrived no one was immediately arrested.

"They come in and break up a party and no one gets arrested," said Robbins. "Why didn't they arrest anyone? What happened there?"

When asked, Fallbrook deputies deferred to the sheriff's department representative.

Jan Caldwell with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said when deputies arrived, many of the partygoers scattered. She said the deputies didn't know the home was broken into and only realized that the next day.

Deputies said party organizers charge money and advertise online to attract teens. They provide the DJ, beer and a place to party.

Caldwell said recently a 14-year-old was arrested for stealing items from one of the homes and said the investigation is still ongoing.

Realtor Tony Ward lists Robbins' home in Fallbrook and advises all real estate agents and homeowners to be on alert.

"Put your alarm on," Ward said.
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