ENGLEWOOD, Fla. (WWSB/Gray News) – An 18-year-old Florida man was arrested after deputies said he tried to stay overnight inside a Walmart as part of a TikTok challenge.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded just after 11 p.m. Tuesday to a reported burglary at the Walmart on McCall Road.
The caller reported to 911 that a man was still inside after the store closed and was streaming live on TikTok.
Deputies entered and found Isaac Hurley in the dog bed section, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators said he entered the store around 10:15 p.m. and planned to remain inside overnight to complete the challenge to earn money based on views.
Deputies also said Hurley removed an iPhone charger from its packaging while inside.
A 19-year-old man was arrested after deputies said he tried to stay inside a Walmart overnight as part of a TikTok challenge.(Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office)
Hurley was arrested on charges of burglary of an occupied structure and petit theft. He was taken to the Charlotte County Jail.
He later posted a $1,500 bond.
After Hurley’s arrest, Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell criticized social media challenges.
“I’m not sure why people buy into these social media challenges when they are clearly encouraging you to violate the law,” Prummell said. “From the ‘kicking in the front door’ challenge, to the destruction of public property thing a couple years ago, to now something as silly as this, young people especially are putting themselves in bad situations and paying the price for it.”
Prummell said he wished social media challenges focused on positive activities instead.
“Why aren’t any of these challenges aimed at making the world better? Imagine mobilizing an entire generation to do positive things – the impact that could have,” he said. “Instead, we are busy arresting people for making poor choices just to get views and likes. It’s a shame.”
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