African youths who trashed Melbourne rental property claimed to be a ‘family-of-five’

A group of African teenagers who trashed a rental property before turning violent on police claimed they were a ‘family-of-five’ when booking online.

The out-of-control party in Shands Lane, North Melbourne, was shut down by officers about 2am on Sunday after numerous noise complaints from neighbours.

When police arrived at the home they were involved in a shocking confrontation that saw four police vehicles trashed and more than $2,000 in damage to the property.

James Vuong, director of Roomerang who rent the property on behalf of an overseas owner, told Daily Mail Australia they had been bluffed into believing that a family was set to enjoy the two-bedroom place for their weekend getaway.

 

No arrests have been made and witnesses are continuing to be questioned by police. Police are speaking to the owners of the property and investigating the details of the person who made the rental booking

Four police cars and a rental property have been smashed and damaged after police arrived at an out-of-control party in North Melbourne in the early hours of Sunday morning

Four police cars and a rental property have been smashed and damaged after police arrived at an out-of-control party in North Melbourne in the early hours of Sunday morning

Roomerang.com director James Vuong messaged residents telling them the situation had been resolved (pictured)

Roomerang.com director James Vuong messaged residents telling them the situation had been resolved (pictured)

Mr Vuong (pictured) said his company were expecting a 'family-of-five'

Mr Vuong (pictured) said his company were expecting a ‘family-of-five’

‘It was believed to be a family,’ an annoyed Mr Vuong said on Monday morning. 

‘The reservation was made months ago and we were thoroughly deceived by them.’ 

Mr Vuong said his company had provided residents surrounding the home with a 24-hour hotline to call in case of an incidents at the address.

Roomerang received their first call at midnight, at which time they called the renters who promised to quieten down – but didn’t. 

After receiving several more complaints about 1am, police were called and asked to evict the group, which reportedly numbered up to 50. 

Partygoers, described as being of African appearance, allegedly yelled: ‘You can’t come in… get a warrant’, when police knocked on the door.

Numerous items were recorded as stolen such as a TV and microwave and walls that had been ‘punched or kicked in’ 

But in the less than 48 hours since, Mr Vuong said the property had been restored to its former condition with new guests set to arrive on Monday afternoon.

The entrepreneur said he believes similar problems at other short-term rentals stem from tenants not being met at the property and handed their keys in person.

‘We always like to know who’s there and we’ll always try to ask them what their intentions are being there,’ Mr Vuong said. 

Around 50 youths were found at the party and were asked to leave but police discovered 'significant damage' had been made to the property including stolen items such as TV and microwave

Around 50 youths were found at the party and were asked to leave but police discovered ‘significant damage’ had been made to the property including stolen items such as TV and microwave

Numerous items were recorded as stolen such as a TV and microwave and walls that had been 'punched or kicked in', (pictured) Sergeant Tanner explained

Numerous items were recorded as stolen such as a TV and microwave and walls that had been ‘punched or kicked in’, (pictured) Sergeant Tanner explained

‘Some of the bigger sites aren’t good at verifying. We always need to verify and it’s at the point now where we’ve started a separate business called KeySquirrel.

‘We have riders go around similar to Deliveroo and Foodora, but they meet guests to give them their keys, plus take photos and verify they are who they said they were.’

Victoria Police senior sergeant Adam Tanner called the incident ‘outrageous’.

‘It’s criminal behaviour and we won’t tolerate it,’ Snr Sgnt Tanner told media on Sunday.

‘The group dispersed but then began throwing objects at police from a nearby laneway,’ leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson said. 

Police took cover for safety and later found their patrol cars had been significantly damaged with smashed windscreens, some side mirrors kicked off and panels dented. 

Neighbours described waking to the sounds of banging and shouting, abusive language and youths jumping and running across police cars.  

‘They were running down the street and jumping on the cars,’ a father of two and resident of the area told the Herald Sun. 

Another resident Meg Moorhouse said the partygoers became violent quickly, loitering in the alleyway and using ‘abusive language’ toward police. 

‘It was aggressive,’ she told the Herald Sun.

Neighbours described waking to the sounds of banging and shouting, abusive language and youths jumping and running across police cars. 'They were running down the street and jumping on the cars,' a father of two and resident of the area told the Herald Sun

Neighbours described waking to the sounds of banging and shouting, abusive language and youths jumping and running across police cars. ‘They were running down the street and jumping on the cars,’ a father of two and resident of the area told the Herald Sun

Neighbours described waking to the sounds of banging and shouting, abusive language and youths jumping and running across police cars before police discovered 'significant damage' had been made to the property (pictured)

Neighbours described waking to the sounds of banging and shouting, abusive language and youths jumping and running across police cars before police discovered ‘significant damage’ had been made to the property (pictured)

‘They were drinking in the alley. They left broken bottles and were yelling.’ 

‘I think they [party attendees] need to party in normal places … whether it’s in pubs or in public areas that are enforceable by law, or in their own homes,’ another neighbour told 7 News.  

The youths reportedly did not leave the street until about 8am, and it’s the second out-of-control party to have been hosted at the property over the past fortnight, according to neighbours.  

The $460 per night four-star North Melbourne rental home was listed on multiple rental sites but the ‘strict house rules’ include ‘no parties’ and noise levels needing to ‘be kept at an appropriate level at all times’.    

The party, held at a property in North Melbourne, was an online rental booked under a false name and bears striking similarities to a spate of recent wild parties throughout Melbourne

The party, held at a property in North Melbourne, was an online rental booked under a false name and bears striking similarities to a spate of recent wild parties throughout Melbourne

The $460 per night four-star North Melbourne rental home was listed on multiple rental sites but the 'strict house rules' include 'no parties'

The $460 per night four-star North Melbourne rental home was listed on multiple rental sites but the ‘strict house rules’ include ‘no parties’

Police arrived at the 17 Shands Lane address at about 2am in response to noise complaints and were pelted with rubbish and other objects, including damage to four police cars at the scene

Police arrived at the 17 Shands Lane address at about 2am in response to noise complaints and were pelted with rubbish and other objects, including damage to four police cars at the scene

No arrests have been made and witnesses are continuing to be questioned by police. 

Police are speaking to the owners of the property and investigating the details of the person who made the rental booking. 

The police vehicles are also being processed by crime scene services and distinctive footprints have been recorded from the scene. 

Piles of rubbish and broken glass can still be seen outside the property and a locksmith was seen changing the locks.  

Piles of rubbish and broken glass can still be seen outside the property and a locksmith was seen changing the locks

Piles of rubbish and broken glass can still be seen outside the property and a locksmith was seen changing the locks

 



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