Diddly Drogba
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UNION COUNTY, N.C. — A Charlotte man was arrested Saturday after hosting an unauthorized party with several hundred attendees at a home where he had been hired for lawn maintenance, according to the Union County Sheriff's Office.
Michael Brown, 37, charged partygoers an entry fee and pocketed thousands of dollars while the homeowners were away on vacation, deputies said. The party took place at a residence near the intersection of Twelve Mile Creek Road and Beulah Church Road in Weddington.
Union County deputies responded to the home after receiving multiple noise complaints and traffic hazard reports. When deputies arrived, Brown initially told them the home was his, according to the sheriff's office. Brown later claimed the home belonged to his grandparents when that story was questioned.
After what the sheriff's office described as "several additional epic failures at telling the truth," Brown admitted he was hired for lawn maintenance and had no relation to the homeowners.
"So, needless to say, our deputies cleared out the house very quickly and arrested the man responsible for this trespassing, charging him with numerous offenses related to the breaking and entering, property damage, trespassing and also a fraud offense for collecting money for each partygoer," UCSO Lt. James Maye said. "A lot of clean up is needed and and there'll be some restitution for the victim in this case."
Due to the large crowd, multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in clearing the property, including UCSO deputies, North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers and N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement agents. Many partygoers left the area recklessly in their vehicles, leading to numerous traffic stops, according to the release.
Deputies discovered property damage after clearing all trespassing individuals from the home.
“There were cars lined up and down both sides of the road, all in the driveway, and that was when the police made their presence known," a neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said to WCNC Charlotte. "It is shocking. Very, very shocking because we had seen the landscaper crew. We had multiple people running through the front of our yard. We have two small children. So, that was very scary for them.”
Brown was arrested and charged with breaking and entering, second-degree trespassing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, injury to real property and obtaining property by false pretenses. He was taken to the Union County Detention Center.
"During our investigation, we seized a little over $3,000 that we believe are illicit profits that he gathered charging an entry fee to each partygoer," Maye said. "So, that money is currently seized by the sheriff's office."
A judge set Brown's bond at $10,000. He has since been released from custody.
Juliana O'Rork with the Better Business Bureau said it's important to thoroughly vet service providers before you book, especially when supporting new businesses.
"Do your research, do your due diligence and your homework," O'Rork said. "Spend time online, look up the company or the individual contractor, um, check out to see if they're an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau.
www.wcnc.com
Michael Brown, 37, charged partygoers an entry fee and pocketed thousands of dollars while the homeowners were away on vacation, deputies said. The party took place at a residence near the intersection of Twelve Mile Creek Road and Beulah Church Road in Weddington.
Union County deputies responded to the home after receiving multiple noise complaints and traffic hazard reports. When deputies arrived, Brown initially told them the home was his, according to the sheriff's office. Brown later claimed the home belonged to his grandparents when that story was questioned.
After what the sheriff's office described as "several additional epic failures at telling the truth," Brown admitted he was hired for lawn maintenance and had no relation to the homeowners.
"So, needless to say, our deputies cleared out the house very quickly and arrested the man responsible for this trespassing, charging him with numerous offenses related to the breaking and entering, property damage, trespassing and also a fraud offense for collecting money for each partygoer," UCSO Lt. James Maye said. "A lot of clean up is needed and and there'll be some restitution for the victim in this case."
Due to the large crowd, multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in clearing the property, including UCSO deputies, North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers and N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement agents. Many partygoers left the area recklessly in their vehicles, leading to numerous traffic stops, according to the release.
Deputies discovered property damage after clearing all trespassing individuals from the home.
“There were cars lined up and down both sides of the road, all in the driveway, and that was when the police made their presence known," a neighbor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said to WCNC Charlotte. "It is shocking. Very, very shocking because we had seen the landscaper crew. We had multiple people running through the front of our yard. We have two small children. So, that was very scary for them.”
Brown was arrested and charged with breaking and entering, second-degree trespassing, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, injury to real property and obtaining property by false pretenses. He was taken to the Union County Detention Center.
"During our investigation, we seized a little over $3,000 that we believe are illicit profits that he gathered charging an entry fee to each partygoer," Maye said. "So, that money is currently seized by the sheriff's office."
A judge set Brown's bond at $10,000. He has since been released from custody.
Juliana O'Rork with the Better Business Bureau said it's important to thoroughly vet service providers before you book, especially when supporting new businesses.
"Do your research, do your due diligence and your homework," O'Rork said. "Spend time online, look up the company or the individual contractor, um, check out to see if they're an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau.
WCNC
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www.wcnc.com
