Teen Takeover: Nearly 100 Minors Detained at San Jose’s Abandoned Burbank Theater
A late-night surge of nearly 100 minors turned a quiet San Jose neighborhood into a scene of chaos Friday night. The group allegedly broke into the shuttered Burbank Theater, leading to a large-scale law enforcement response that saw teens attempting to flee across rooftops before being detained by authorities.
The Friday Night Incident
At approximately 9:30 p.m., the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of trespassing at the Burbank Theater, located near the intersection of South Bascom and Parkmoor avenues. Callers alerted deputies to loud vehicles on Parkmoor Avenue and numerous individuals entering the vacant building with alcohol.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered an open door on the south side of the theater. As law enforcement began making announcements, the minors inside attempted to escape through alternative exit doors, while some were spotted on the building’s roof. All of the minors exited the building and were detained.
Law Enforcement Response and Aftermath
Authorities established an incident command post at Bascom Avenue and Parkmoor Avenue to manage the scene. According to Brooks Jarosz, senior communications officer for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the minors were seated along the sidewalk while deputies contacted their parents for pickup.
During the detention, deputies admonished the group and warned them to stay away from the property. A thorough search of the theater was conducted to ensure no one remained inside and to check for weapons; yet, no firearms were found and no injuries were reported. This event marked the fourth call reporting trespassing at the Burbank Theater this year.
The Decline of a Neighborhood Landmark
The Burbank Theater, located at 552–560 S. Bascom Ave., is a 74-year-old landmark known for its Streamline Moderne marquee. Once a staple of the community, the theater stopped screening films in 2000 and later operated as a dance studio before falling into foreclosure in 2019.
The property has languished for years, with preservation advocates like PAC*SJ warning that the building remains at risk. While the theater went to auction in 2021, and various proposals for medical office conversions or housing have been floated, no major redevelopment has broken ground.
The Future of the Property
The fate of the historic site may soon change. The San Jose City Council recently voted unanimously to move forward with annexing nearly an acre of land where the theater stands. While the annexation sets the stage for future changes, specific plans for the space remain unclear.
Key Takeaways: Burbank Theater Trespassing Incident
- Who: Nearly 100 minors.
- What: Alleged trespassing and breaking into a shuttered theater with alcohol.
- Where: Burbank Theater, South Bascom and Parkmoor avenues, San Jose.
- Outcome: All minors detained and released to parents; no injuries or firearms found.
- Context: The theater has been closed since 2000 and foreclosed in 2019.
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