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Cops Bust Illegal Party at Bucktown Warehouse, Take Five Into Custody

By Alisa Hauser | January 28, 2013 4:36pm | Updated on January 28, 2013 4:58pm
 A flyer ahead of the "Noize Riot" party on the 2300 block of North Seeley Avenue promised a wide range of dance music.
A flyer ahead of the "Noize Riot" party on the 2300 block of North Seeley Avenue promised a wide range of dance music.
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BUCKTOWN — The night ended abruptly for more than 100 people who were found partying inside of a vacant warehouse on the border of Bucktown and Logan Square Friday.

Officers responded to a noise complaint at 10:15 p.m. Friday on the 2300 block of N. Seeley Ave., on the northern edge of Bucktown's border, just south of Fullerton Ave.

When they arrived, they found "110 to 125 people of various ages, male and female," who were partying at an illegal concert that "lacked proper licensing," according to officials.

Four adults and one juvenile were taken into police custody for their roles in allegedly violating city ordinances, said police spokesman Officer Robert Perez.

 Police busted a warehouse party Friday on the 2300 block of North Seeley Avenue.
Police busted a warehouse party Friday on the 2300 block of North Seeley Avenue.
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DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser

On a Facebook page for the party, called "Noize Riot," organizers thanked "those that tried to make it out last night [but] we are sorry the fun ended so early by the police."

They also lashed out at "whoever felt the need to call the police over and over claiming it was some type of drug party F U."

They vowed to stage other Noize Riot parties, though in legal venues.

A 17-year-old female who was taken into custody was released to her parents pending a future court date.

Stacy Freidman, 21, of the 400 block of W. Touhy Ave. in Des Plaines, was taken in on city charges for allegedly not having the license required to sell liquor, not having a license required to operate a business or corporation and not possessing a license for a public place of amusement.

Friedman was additionally taken in on charges of violating a closure order violation.

Previously, there were five other cease and desist orders against the building, a sergeant said.

Blake Ehrhardt, 21, of the 900 block of W. Willow St., was charged with violating two city ordinances: violation of a closure order and not having a license required for a public place of amusements.

Two other individuals were "acting as bouncers," according to cops.

Barry Portee, Sr., 54, of the 6100 block of Michigan Ave., was found to be working security at the venue and was taken into custody on city charges of not having a license required for a public place of amusement.

Isaac Guy, 22, 3900 block of N. Kildare Ave., was also found to be "acting as a bouncer" and charged with not having a license required for a public place of amusement.

The four adult offenders were released on their own recognizance and will appear March 15 in Cook County Court- Branch 23.

According to the building's landlord, Constantine Kanavos of R.M.C. Realty, the 8,540 square-foot property previously housed automobiles and storage and has been vacant for six months.

Informed of the incident by DNAinfo Chicago, Kanavos said he was unaware of the party and vowed: "This will not be tolerated, we will take care of it."

Flash Cab driver Irfan Faruki, 33, said Monday that he had transported people to the warehouse, which he referred to as "a club" at various points over the past few months. 

Faruki, who pointed to the doors of the warehouse, said he was aware of it being a club but was not sure of its name.