WCSO: Teens could face charges after breaking into $4M home to throw party with 200 guests

WATERCOLOR — The owners of a $4 million home were gone for less than 24 hours Saturday when more than 200 people reportedly broke into their home and threw an open house party.

Walton County sheriff’s deputies were called to Blackwater Street in the WaterColor community by security early Saturday morning for a noise complaint. Most of the people at the party had left the area by the time deputies arrived.

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However, videos circulating on Snapchat, Instagram and other social media platforms helped fill in the gaps, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Corey Dobridnia said.

Snapchat and other social media platforms regularly work with law enforcement to provide records upon request. Even texts or photos that disappear after a certain amount of time can be retrieved by law enforcement through the proper legal process.

“I think that parents and kids need to understand social media and how it works,” Dobridnia said. “Once you put a photo out there and once you put a picture on a public profile or on a snap, there is no social media that is private. There is no such thing.”

Videos showed people crowding in the house nearly wall to wall. Many of them, who Dobridnia said were largely high school-aged, were seen drinking, and two videos shared by the WCSO showed teens turning the foyer into a “boxing ring.”

“It’s a mess. They caused a lot of property damage,” Dobridnia said. “Furniture was destroyed, the door was destroyed. What you can imagine after 200 people come into your house that are not supposed to be there.”

The WCSO was still assessing the full amount of damage on Tuesday. According to the Walton County Property Appraiser's website, the house is worth $4,393,140 at market value.

Among the initial damage reported was a back door that was pried open to let people into the house. One photo posted to social media showed a person smoking inside the home.

Several pieces of sports memorabilia were stolen, with another photo on social media showing a person wearing five championship rings on his fingers. A video game console and clothes were among other items missing from the home.

“It’s sad that even after the fact, the kids are on Snapchat talking about this party and how they think that they’re not going to get in trouble,” Dobridnia said Tuesday. “They’ve got another thing coming.”

The WCSO received numerous tips from Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers since sharing information about the incident on Facebook on Monday.

Dobridnia said multiple minors who posted photos of the party to social media had been identified. They include tourists and local residents.

“Regardless of whether or not they knew that the house was being broken into, if you’re under 18 and you’re at an open house party, it’s against the law,” she said. “You’re not supposed to be drinking. You’re not supposed to be doing drugs. You’re not supposed to be fighting in somebody else’s home.”

Open house parties are not new in the area. However, Dobridnia said deputies are typically breaking up parties at rental homes. The residents at the home on Blackwater Street lived there year-round, but were not home when the party took place.

Fliers for the party were reportedly circulated before the incident. Dobridnia said some people involved could face burglary charges. The WCSO was still working Tuesday to identify everyone believed to be responsible.

“Even if you didn’t know that the house was broken into, you are not supposed to be there. Period,” she said. “You knew that something was going on that was against the law. Regardless if it was a burglary or an open house party, both are against the law.”

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the WCSO at 850-892-8111. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 850-863-TIPS.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: WCSO: Videos show teens breaking into, partying at $4M WaterColor home