Los Angeles (AP) – An empty house in the desert. An Instagram ad for foreign dancers. Stay-at-home order.
That proved to be a dangerous connection in the town of Palmdale on Saturday night, as sheriff’s deputies stormed the house and busted an illegal party there, arresting about 160 people – aged 16 to 22 and many not wearing masks. Were – after all who can? Be part of a coronavirus “super spreader event” amid rising cases across the state.
The raids came after sheriff Alex Villanueva vowed to crack down on “super-spreader events” as instructed to avoid enforcement of county and state health orders for rest restaurants and other small businesses.
However the party arrested 158 people, of whom 35 were teenagers. Officers found six weapons at home, as well as 4,424 cash, and they were able to rescue a 17-year-old victim of human trafficking.
Villanueva said during a news conference on Tuesday that the actions were of a criminal nature, even without a health order.
The “huge underground party” came into an empty house in a residential neighborhood without the owners’ knowledge. It was advertised on Instagram as “Project Wet n ‘Wild” – the house has a pool but it was very cold on Saturday night – with tickets ranging from $ 5 to ડ 15 a liter, with an additional 60.
Organizers were also arrested as teenagers and encouraged previous parties in Pomona and Nantario, officials said. With burglary charges, police said, they entered the home and hired a videographer to record the party.
Each party faces a felony charge of violating the epidemic and epidemic health order, officials said. A 17-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm.
KTTV Fox 11 First Palmdale reported the party and the arrest, while deputies showed up and declared that “this is the LA County Sheriff’s Department, this is an illegal gathering,” over a loudspeaker.
Footage from the TV station showed a dredge of the house with dozens of parties engaged and sitting on the ground with their hands clasped behind their backs. Deputies were given masks and blankets to check their temperature.
“This is what we call a super spreader for COVID,” Sheriff’s Lt. Paul Zaris told KTTV.
Zaris told the TV station that deputies had received information about the party, and that insiders were not wearing masks. Sheriff’s officials said they wanted to send a message to other potential promoters of the party and those present.
“We just want to make sure it doesn’t happen, especially in our area. We will let them know that this is not acceptable, “said Zaris.
Villanueva said his department is investigating other underground parties, which usually happen weekly and could also be super spreading events. The sheriff said his deputies will focus on education and voluntary compliance for county and state health orders.
Villanueva said his department would not enforce the order in a struggling business “where they decide to follow orders and put food on the table.”
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