A stuffed white leopard worth $250,000 was among items seized in a burglary of a Southern California mansion that was up for sale where more than a dozen teens and adults held an impromptu rave party last month, officials said on Wednesday. Beverly White reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2013.
Partying teens took the "Bling Ring" concept to new heights after breaking into and trashing a swanky SoCal mansion, making off with $1 million in rare collectibles and then trying to sell them online, authorities said.
Sixteen people -- 13 juveniles and three adults -- were arrested and charged with felony grand theft and trespassing for allegedly breaking into a La Habra Heights home and "hosting" a deejayed party between 4 p.m. Nov. 23 and 9 a.m. the following day.
A stuffed white leopard worth $250,000, a WWII Nazi helmet and thousands of dollars in Armani suits were among items seized from the opulent mansion, which featured fountains, a grand staricase and indoor palms trees.
The ringleaders likely found the home, which is for sale, online, said Sheriff's Capt. Tim Murakami. They then advertised the party on social media, drawing an estimated 100 guests, Murakami said.
Witness accounts describe a scene in which looting partiers broke a 16-foot window near an underground swimming pool and then ransacked the home. "It started almost a frenzy," Murakami said.
“We’re concerned for a number of reasons, not just the obvious reasons of trespassing, burglary, vandalism, but also drug use, sexual assaults,” said Chief James Lopez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “Obviously alcohol and drugs are prevalent there.”
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Authorities served warrants in the cities of La Habra and Whittier, and in unincorporated areas near Whittier, and arrested the suspects, most of whom were high schoolers from Orange County. The parents were "all cooperative," Murakami said. "And of course embarassed."
