Teens break in to mansion, party, and steal leopard

Teenagers call them ghost parties: Gatherings

US police say revellers at one such party

ransacked an opulent mansion in Southern

California, leaving $1m (€730,000) in

damages, and making off with medieval armour,

designer suits, and a $250,000 stuffed

leopard.

This party took place in November and over

the following few weeks the party-goers

posted plenty online pics of their late-

night shenanigans.

This week, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s

Department announced it had arrested 16

teenagers — helped, in part, by the online

photos of the party at La Habra Heights.

Officials say the party was planned on social

media and held without the knowledge of the

homeowner.

According to police, partygoers entered

through a window that was pried open, then

trashed the place and stole several pricey

items including designer suits and jewellery.

Sheriff’s lieutenant Arthur Scott said the

suspected leopard thief had no idea how

valuable the mounted cat was and only grabbed

it “because all the good stuff was gone”.

Sheriff’s captain Tim Murakami said: “They

were actually bragging about the party,

showing themselves within the residence,

showing themselves carrying some of the

stolen property.”

The party venue was a mansion that was

actually supposed to be up for sale.

A teen tweeted that the party would take

place in the vacant home’s backyard. About

100 guests arrived and even paid admission.

At some point, police say, teens broke into

the mansion which features a custom movie

theatre; a casino room; a wine cellar; a

water slide; and a resort-themed pool.

“They just had a free-for-all once the place

was broken into. Once entry was made, it was

like, ‘Oh, this is fun’,” said Lt Scott.