ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 2, 1995 TAG: 9512030024
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
Five people face charges after Blacksburg police and ABC agents busted a "rave" party Thursday night.
Seven bottles of liquor, two kegs of beer, a cooler full of mixed liquor, a loaded .22-caliber derringer, a small amount of money and other items were seized.
Lt. Bruce Bradbery said police learned of the party from fluorescent fliers posted throughout town.
The fliers promised "everything for $2 cover" and gave a number to call for information. Police decided to investigate, "knowing that similar parties have, in the past, been a breeding ground for drugs and alcohol violations."
"We called the information number, and they told us what we could get for the cover," Bradbery said - unlimited beer and liquor.
Four undercover police and ABC agents entered the Windsor Hills Clubhouse about 8 p.m. Thursday.
They paid the admission fee and observed alcoholic beverages being sold, Bradbery said. One officer bought one-half ounce of marijuana from a party-goer, police said. Shortly after that, the party - which had attracted only about eight people thus far, including the officers - was shut down.
"They were expecting 300 to 400 people to show up" later in the evening, Bradbery said. "And we didn't want that many people there. That was just going to make it more dangerous ... so we shut it down early."
When officers moved to close the party, they had to chase down a 21-year-old man. He was charged with possessing marijuana with intent to distribute and carrying a concealed weapon.
Raves are all-night parties that generally feature light shows and high-energy dance music. They are designed for young people 18 and over. While the events are popular in larger metropolitan areas and in the last couple of years have crept into the Roanoke Valley, there have not been many in the New River Valley.
Last year in Christiansburg, three Roanoke Valley men were charged after police responded to a rave at a skating rink. Two men were charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and with felony possession of ecstasy, a designer drug that became popular in the early 1980s. The third man was charged with possessing marijuana with intent to distribute.
"It's the first organized attempt at a rave party" in Blacksburg, Bradbery said.
Among the five arrested - all of whom live in Blacksburg - was a 17-year-old boy who was charged with possession of alcohol underage and aiding and abetting the illegal sale of alcohol.
The four others arrested and the charges they face are:
David Everett Griggs, 21, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He was released on a $1,500 secured cash bond.
Amanda Gail Aldridge, 20, possession of alcohol underage and illegal sale of alcohol.
Laurel Elizabeth Snell, 20, possession of alcohol underage and aiding and abetting the illegal sale of alcohol.
Bonnie Marie Mangino, 21, aiding and abetting the illegal sale of alcohol.
Police said other charges were pending, most likely for the possession of marijuana pipes, which were found in a jacket.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 linesby CNB