Cops Invited to Rave via Text
Anonymous text message leads police to illegal party
AP
FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2009 file photo, the BlackBerry Storm2 for Verizon is shown in San Francisco. E-mail messaging delays plagued BlackBerry users in North America for the second time in a week, though by early Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, the problems appeared to be resolved for some users. (AP Photo/Russel A. Daniels, File)
An anonymous text message sent to the Chicago Police tip line lead officers to an illegal rave.
Around 10:30 p.m Friday, Chicago Police received a tip through the TXT2TIP program informing them of an illegal party in Wicker Park.
The "rave" was being held on the 1600 block of North Milwaukee. Officers responded to the location and witnessed people entering a storefront. Police discovered a number of young people waiting in line to pay a cover charge.
Alcohol was being served to a group of 50-75 people who were mostly under the legal drinking age.
Once inside the officers located Ricardo Martinez, 25 who was hosting the party. He did not have permission to conduct a party or be on the premises and was charged with Criminal Trespass to Real Property and cited for License Required/Public Place of Amusement.
"These types of unauthorized parties are a serious safety issue," Superintendent Jody Weis said. "Overcrowding, aggressive behavior from excessive drinking and other illegal activities often happening inside endanger lives. We are pleased someone had the forethought about these dangers and let us know anonymously through TXT2TIP before the situation escalated to one of tragedy."
Posted Sunday, Sep 5, 2010 - 11:04 AM CST
