Teens Arrested for Driving Lawn Mower into Target and Using Leaf Blower at Culver's in Viral Stunt

Two teenagers from Florida found themselves in legal trouble after engaging in bizarre social media antics, including driving a lawnmower into a Target store and using a leaf blower inside a Culver’s restaurant.

On Friday, 18-year-old Janek Szkaradek reportedly entered the Culver’s on SW College Road, where he unleashed a leaf blower, causing chaos as it knocked over items and disrupted staff and patrons alike.

The following day, Szkaradek escalated his antics by maneuvering a lawnmower through the entrance of a nearby Target, resulting in damage to the store's door.

Luke Charske, also 18, allegedly filmed the Target escapade, with police asserting that the duo's actions were intended to garner attention on social media platforms.

Szkaradek now faces charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct stemming from the Culver’s incident, along with an additional disorderly conduct charge related to the Target stunt.

Charske has been charged as an accomplice for his role in recording the Target event. His bail is set at $500, while Szkaradek’s bail stands at $1,500.

“These are crimes, not harmless videos,” stated the Ocala Police Department, emphasizing the serious repercussions that can arise from such social media stunts.

Authorities warned, “Think before you record; it’s not worth an arrest and a criminal charge.” The incidents not only endangered individuals within the establishments but also resulted in unnecessary property damage.

The arrests highlight ongoing concerns regarding viral pranks that disrupt businesses and pose safety risks, particularly when executed in public spaces.

In related news, eight teenagers were arrested after a large group swarmed a trampoline park as part of a TikTok-inspired takeover trend. Additionally, two teens faced charges after a TikTok stunt left a boy trapped in a bridge shaft in New York City.

Streamer Johnny Somali recently received a six-month prison sentence in South Korea due to a series of disruptive social media stunts and deepfake distribution. In another incident, a Florida TikToker was arrested for pranking police with AI-generated videos depicting their patrol cars being broken into.

Another viral prankster, Heston James, is currently facing nine years in prison following a lengthy spree of disruptive activities across various Arizona businesses.