The Mountain View Police Department reported on Tuesday, March 25 the arrest of twelve teenagers with two young adults after the Mountain View Fire Department and Police Department responded to 1747 Fordham Way after reports of a 2-alarm fire at a home on Sunday morning, March 16 .
The residents were out of the country in New Zealand when the home was taken over as a club house by several teens and college students. The single-family home fire was started by three teens who were unable to stop the blaze during a Saturday night house party that had gotten out of control.
According to the Mountain View PD, “Since March 17th, detectives began to serve multiple search warrants at residences in Mountain View and Los Altos resulting in the arrest of twelve (12) juveniles and two (2) adults”.
18-year-old Brandon Pak, and 18-year-old Gilbert Gomes face felony charges as adults. Those charges include Burglary under PC 459/460(a), and Child Endangerment (Penal Code 273a (a). Brandon Pak also faces charges of providing Marijuana to Juveniles under the Health and Safety Code 11361(b).
The fire caused major damage to the Fordham Way home.
Investigation revealed that on March 7, the young teens had begun having several large parties that went un-reported by neighbors. It is also suspected that several teens and adults at the party were drinking and using drugs at the time of the incident. According to the MVPD, “On the morning of March 16th, three juveniles started a fire inside the residence which they were unable to extinguish”.
With the arrest of fourteen individuals, it is expected that there may be others involved in the destruction of property and other damage created by the rebel party goers.
Read More:
CBS SF Bay Area: Teen Partiers Suspected In Mountain View House Fire, 14 Arrested
San Jose Mercury News: Mountain View house set on fire during wild party while owner was gone, police say
