There has been a recent spike in crime in southwest Bakersfield.
Teenagers have been breaking into newly built homes and throwing parties.
"Juveniles anywhere from 15 to 19 years of age are forcing entry to these homes and are basically partying with their friends," said Sergeant Ryan Kroeker with the Bakersfield Police Department.
Home builders have been showing up to find the homes damaged after someone threw a party inside.
Broken windows and beer bottles were left behind for the home builders to deal with.
"The construction companies are definitely out a lot of money because they have to go in and replace doors, replace windows, bath tubs, carpets, et cetera," said Sgt. Kroeker.
Mike Miller the Central Valley Division President for Lennar Homes said they take extra precautions to protect their construction sites, adding surveillance cameras that are monitored 24 hours, seven days a week.
However, that didn't stop one of their homes from being targeted.
"We actually ended up capturing this rave group trying to break into, well, actually break into one of our homes," said Miller.
Miller did not want to identify which home was broken into, in an effort to protect the privacy of the future homeowner.
The surveillance company contacted Bakersfield Police who showed up and arrested 17 people for trespassing.
In the past three weeks alone, a total of seven homes have been targeted.
"Just no regard or people's property," said Miller.
Miller said thankfully his company was able to get the home repaired quickly, but he and law enforcement want these break-ins to stop.
"You may get away with it once or twice, but eventually it's going to catch up to you and then you're dealing with this the rest of your life and it's not worth it," said Miller.
BPD said they are patrolling the areas that have been targeted in hopes of preventing it from happening again.
Police are also reminding parents to keep track of where their kids are going when they head out with their friends.
