Police detained nearly 100 minors Friday evening after the teens allegedly broke into an abandoned San Jose movie theater carrying alcohol and playing loud music outside.
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Burbank Theater on South Bascom Avenue at around 9:30 p.m. on April 3 in response to reports of loud vehicles and trespassing at the abandoned building, according to sheriff’s office spokesperson Brooks Jarosz.
“After deputies made announcements, individuals inside attempted to flee by forcing open alternative exit doors, and several people were seen on the roof,” Jarosz said.
Deputies eventually forced everyone out of the building, set up an incident command post outside and proceeded to scold the minors. Jarosz did not specify whether anyone was arrested or charged with a crime.
“The juveniles were seated on the sidewalk while awaiting pickup, admonished and advised not to return to the property,” Jarosz said.
Deputies did not find any firearms in the building, and no injuries were reported, according to Jarosz.
The Burbank Theater opened in 1951 and spent some of its tenure as an adult movie theater before closing in 2000, according to SiliconValley.com. The outlet reported in 2024 that the site was being considered for a housing development while preserving the theater’s vertical “Burbank” sign on the exterior.