An Arizona TikTok personality, James Heston, has been arrested and charged with a string of felonies, including burglary and trespassing, for his pranks.
The 21-year-old is known for his prank videos, which he regularly posts to his handle, boasting 1.6 million followers.
Some of his pranks entailed pitching up at businesses like Chipotle dressed in the outlet’s uniform and “working” while the outlet’s employers try to get them to leave.
James Heston had been harassing local businesses for the last five months before the law caught up with him
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According to a Tempe Police communique, James Heston, whose real surname is Cobb, perpetrated a “serious viral pranks that disrupted several local businesses.”
In one instance, they received a call from a Chipotle employee complaining, “We have people trying to invade our store right now posing as employees. They’re not leaving and they’re literally touching everything.”
These intrusions were perpetrated from March to July, resulting in a slew of complaints.
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“These men began seriously disrupting their businesses by entering employee-only areas and refusing to leave when asked,” the City’s Department News platform confirmed.
“One man was identified as the ‘leader’ of the group, and instructed the others to begin ‘working’”.
The TikToker had pulled the stunt on five businesses
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“These acts were posted on the social media pages of ‘Heston James’. The videos garnered millions of views and potentially generated large amounts of money,” the government outlet reported.
It went on to say that Heston’s activities affected a string of businesses, including Pep Boys, Hyland Auto Repair, Big Brand Tire & Service, Jiffy Lube, and Chipotle.
The platform explained that police began joining the dots when a rash of this behavior was reported in early July.
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“Diligent police work connected 21-year-old Heston Cobb to the social media platforms as the leader of these pranks,” City Department noted.
Police have since warned TikTokers that their ‘pranks’ could cost them ’
A video of Heston’s antics, now bearing the watermark of the Tempe Police Department, depicts the young adult in one of his stunts arguing with the staff of a diner.
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“Your portion sizes have been lacking. So, I’m here to make sure you guys are staying in check.”
“So I’m gonna clean house,” he tells the staff, who appear unsure of their next move.
He then gets on his phone and declares, “Go ahead and bring in the guys.” Through the glass windows, a string of individuals dressed in the same uniforms can be seen converging on the shop.
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Around ten people gain entry and spread out around the store, appearing to mop and wipe while one of the employees stands guard at the kitchen’s entrance, watching the chaos.
“No. You guys need to leave,” one of the women behind the counter can be heard telling the gang of workmen.
“Your social media ‘pranks’ could cost you more than you think,” the Tempe Police Department captioned the video in a blue and white overlay.
One of the charges faced by Heston and his ‘work’ gang is criminal impersonation
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Invasion of staff-only areas is not the only trick in Heston’s box.
His account, which has since been deactivated, also shows him shrieking in stores and then acting like he does not know where the noise comes from when confronted by employees.
But these actions are not pranks—at least according to Police Officer Jessica Ells.
Speaking to the local AZ Family outlet, she said:
Image credits: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
“They are crossing the line from something that’s fun and playful into criminal territory. They’re breaking laws.
“They are going into these businesses and impersonating the employees. That actually is a felony charge.”
Local businesses hope his arrest will set an example
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The Tempe Police Department has charged the TikToker with “1 count of Burglary in the Third Degree, 2 counts of Criminal Impersonation, 5 counts of Disorderly Conduct, [and] 5 counts of Criminal Trespass.”
David Hyland, owner of Hyland Auto in Tempe, told the same outlet that he hoped Heston’s arrest “will put pressure on Instagram, YouTube, and all of the other platforms to really look at what people are posting.”
Social media thinks its another case of playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes
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