Two people were arrested on Wednesday in connection with vandalism in an abandoned Hollywood Hills mansion owned by the son of a Philadelphia Phillies co-owner.
John Powers Middleton, a film producer, owns a property that has long been left vacant and become a popular target for graffiti artists and squatters.
Los Angeles police department officers patrolling the area near one mansion on Mulholland Drive responded to reports of a man and woman who had recently spray-painted the residence and fled in a white Mercedes-Benz.
The suspects, identified as 35-year-old Jacob Smith and 19-year-old Thomia Fagan, were arrested shortly after.
“The officers’ investigation revealed that both suspects had entered the private property and utilized spray paint to deface the property,” reads the statement by the LAPD. Officers said they recovered “several spray paint cans” as well as a loaded unregistered firearm.
Smith was charged with suspicion of vandalism, while Fagan faces charges of suspicion of a firearm in a vehicle, according authorities. Both are being held without bail.
A similar fate has fallen on Middleton’s other mansion about 5 miles (8km) away which has also been overtaken by squatters and graffiti artists. The properties owned by Middleton are located at 7571 Mulholland Drive and 1754 N Sunset Plaza Drive, according to KABC.
Middleton apologized to the residents of Los Angeles a day after the arrests were made, taking responsibility for the state of his properties.
“What’s happened to my property is criminal and I hope everyone caught will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Middleton in a statement to NBC News. “No one in Los Angeles should have to put up with squatters and vandalism that are out of control.”
He also said that private security measures had been in place, but the volume of break-ins and vandalism overwhelmed the teams that were hired. In the statement, Middleton promised to increase security, with 24/7 armed guards and crews actively working on repairs.
Middleton also said he would reimburse the city for any expenses incurred in securing the properties.
The abandoned mansions have attracted tourists, thanks to online viral posts, increasing the issue of trespassing and vandalism. In recent weeks, visitors were leaving tags on the mansion, one of which was reportedly owned by Sean “Diddy” Combs, the hip-hop mogul who was recently charged with sex trafficking and racketeering. One of the tags in the home reads: “Diddy was here.”
Councilmember Nithya Raman said her office had been in close contact with the Los Angeles police department and the department of building and safety regarding the incidents at the properties.
“These properties are both owned by the same individual, who is in egregious violation of the law,” Raman said.
“This is a public safety issue with serious consequences for both neighbors and the surrounding community. Irresponsible property owners must take accountability for their property or face action from the city,” she said.
The Los Angeles Times spoke to several neighbors who were baffled by the state of the mansions.
“It’s just insane,” said one neighbor. “There was once a gorgeous home there. I mean, who does that? Who walks away from a $10m house like that and just lets it go to squatters?”
“We’ve become known for the graffiti mansion,” said another neighbor. “It’s so embarrassing to have this in the heart of the Hollywood Hills.”
It was also reported that a crew of workers boarded up the windows earlier this week and erected a new chain-link fence around the property. Workers also painted over graffiti.
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