Chicago Police Seize 25 Weapons After Crashing Gang-Related Airbnb Party
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago police crashed a gang-related party and seized 25 guns early Saturday morning, officials confirm.
Police seized 24 handguns and one rifle at the party in the 1200 block of North Milwaukee Avenue just after 2 a.m.
Five people were taken into custody and questioned by detectives. Charges are pending.
Neighbors say the steady stream of raging parties have been an ongoing issue.
"It's been a problem since day one," said Michael Wulfstat. "It basically shakes the entire building all night long, sometimes till 5 or 6 in the morning. When I come out after a weekend there's throw up, beer bottles, cups all over the place."
The second floor of the building next door to Wulfstat gets rented out on sites like Airbnb, and it was one of those parties police busted.
It's not the first time this has happened in Chicago. Nearly a year ago a party at an Airbnb rental turned into a seven-hour SWAT standoff in Lincoln Park.
Police found two assault rifles and seven handguns.
And just months ago after a deadly mass shooting at an Airbnb party in California, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky had enough, tweeting a ban on house parties, but the ban didn't do much for the listing on Milwaukee Avenue.
"The best tenants we ever had had to move out after six weeks," said Wulfstat.
He said he doesn't want to stop people from running a business, but he also wants to feel safe.
"I don't mind people having fun," he said. "I'd just like to live peacefully next to my neighbors."
Police are investigating whether the guns are linked to other crimes, according to Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
An Airbnb spokesperson said the listing was removed from the company's website Saturday, calling what happened "unacceptable."
The representative said if you have a problem with Airbnb neighbors there's a 24-hour hotline where you can reach out.
