By Brendan Rees
A group of thugs have savagely trashed a million-dollar Airbnb home in Harkaway after allegedly breaking in and causing a party to spiral out-of-control on Tuesday morning, 10 December.
Sixteen teenagers were arrested after 14 police units including the dog squad were called to the Rowallan Avenue property about 5.30am.
Tables and chairs were destroyed, windows smashed, and doors ripped from their hinges, as well as alcohol bottles smashed on floors.
Victoria Police spokesman Detective Sergeant Kris Hamilton said the house was vacant at the time and not rented to those involved – who “broke in some time during the night.”
“Upon discovering the house had been extensively damaged police arrested all those present, male and females aged between 16 and 19,” Sgt Hamilton said.
“Those in custody remain at Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Dandenong police stations and it is intended they will be fronted at court this morning (Tuesday 10 December).
The devastated owner, who attended the property to inspect the damage with a locksmith on Wednesday 11 December, declined to comment saying “I don’t talk today regarding this issue.”
The five-bedroom home – described online as a “transcendent country-style retreat of sublime serenity” – features a private pool and patio and is listed on rental websites for a starting price of $750 a night.
A passerby, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said she saw a group of youths being arrested outside the property about 7am.
“I came down the road and just saw all these police cars thinking ‘what is going on here?’ she said.
“All these Sudanese were being arrested in hand cuffs.
“There was one; they had him in the back of the divvy van with hand cuffs on.
Police photographed and fingerprinted a Ford Falcon sedan parked at the front of the property which was not bearing number plates.
Neighbour Natasha Peart said she was shocked by the extent of the damage, adding the owners bought it 18 months ago for $1.7 million.
“I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t know, I didn’t see anything… It’s pretty peaceful here so it was a bit of a surprise,” she said.
“I think the thing that alarmed me the most was I think a couple of them were arrested on this property.”
She added she had been feeling a “bit on edge” and was once happy to leave doors unlocked but “definitely not now.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said neighbours had called police. “They were very worried; they were so scared. They heard a lot of noise,” he said.
