A Hollywood Hills mansion, valued at millions of dollars, was vandalized and defaced by a group of squatters who left behind graffiti with the message "f--- rich people," according to reports from the Los Angeles Police Department and local media outlets.
The incident occurred when police responded to a call about a woman screaming at the residence on Thursday. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the house had been extensively damaged, with graffiti, broken glass, feces, and destroyed furniture scattered throughout.
An LAPD officer informed KTLA 5 that the house was abandoned and the individuals responsible were merely trespassing and squatting. The screaming, it was later revealed, was due to a dog bite.
The sprawling mansion, previously listed for $10 million, boasts luxurious amenities such as a home theater, two gourmet kitchens, and a pool, as reported by the New York Post.
Three individuals, two women and a man, were cited for trespassing and subsequently released. However, they claimed to KTLA 5 that the situation was a misunderstanding, asserting that they had been hired to clean up the property and remove the squatters in preparation for leasing or selling the house.
Contradicting their claims, the real estate agent for the home stated that the three individuals were not authorized to be on the property. Neighbors also confirmed that the trio had been present for approximately five days before the police were called.
One neighbor expressed their surprise, telling KTLA, "I didn't know it was going on. I'm just finding out. It doesn't make me too happy. It makes me aware of my surroundings a little bit more."
An LAPD spokesperson acknowledged that reports of squatters in Hollywood were not uncommon. They stated to the New York Post, "Officers did make contact with the property owner, so it's definitely not abandoned, but it's unclear if somebody lives there."
This is not the first time the police have been called to the property. In January of last year, a man barricaded himself inside the mansion with a dog. He was accused of pointing a shotgun at someone, leading the police to believe he was squatting in the residence.
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