TikTok pranksters have repeatedly rampaged through Church of Scientology locations in Manhattan over the last month as part of a viral stunt known as “speedrunning,” officials said Tuesday.
Cops have arrested three men in connection with the incidents, cops said. Four break-ins at the Church of Scientology of New York, in Midtown, and the Church of Scientology of Harlem have been reported to police by church staff, officials said.
In the TikTok trend, which is inspired by a video game style called “speedrunning,” youths hoping for 15 seconds of social media fame bust into Church of Scientology locations and record themselves running through the place before they’re caught or forced to leave.
Similar stunts have taken place at a Church of Scientology building in Hollywood, Calif., in April, church members said.
Police have released surveillance video images of more than a dozen individuals who they said stormed into the Church of Scientology of New York’s headquarters in Midtown as part of a viral Tiktok stunt known as “speedrunning.” (NYPD)
“Over recent weeks, individuals have repeatedly forced their way into Church properties, disrupted religious and public facilities, damaged Church property, and endangered staff, parishioners and visitors,” the church told NBC News.
In a statement to the Daily News, the church said: “Church facilities are peaceful spaces designed to welcome parishioners, visitors and members of the public. Turning them into targets for viral stunts is not journalism, protest or civic activity. It is trespass, harassment and disruption of religious facilities.
“The Church welcomes lawful visitors. It does not welcome mobs forcing entry, damaging property, disrupting religious spaces or endangering people for views.”
Police have released surveillance video images of more than a dozen individuals who they said stormed into the Church of Scientology of New York’s headquarters in Midtown as part of a viral Tiktok stunt known as “speedrunning.” (NYPD)
The trend took off in early April, with users on social media posting videos of themselves — sometimes bizarrely in costume — entering multiple properties owned or inhabited in some way by the Church of Scientology. Participants film themselves “speedrunning” through the building and trying to map out the church’s buildings and get as much information as they can about the inner workings of the usually secretive organization, which touts actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, among others, as members.
In the first Manhattan incident, on May 2, more than two dozen people, mostly young men, were caught on surveillance cameras entering the facility on W. 46th St. and Eighth Ave. and busting through storage tubs and sound equipment as they tripped over each other to rush inside.
Police have released surveillance video images of more than a dozen individuals who they said stormed into the Church of Scientology of New York’s headquarters in Midtown as part of a viral Tiktok stunt known as “speedrunning.” (NYPD)
At least one of the burglars covered a surveillance camera with silly string during the 4:30 p.m. raid, a video shared by the NYPD showed. Cops released the images over the weekend in the hopes that someone recognizes the pranksters.
A 30-year-old security guard working at the Scientology center was kicked in the leg and an estimated $10,000 in damage was caused before the brazen intruders ran off, cops said.
Police have released surveillance video images of more than a dozen individuals who they said stormed into the Church of Scientology of New York’s headquarters in Midtown as part of a viral Tiktok stunt known as “speedrunning.” (NYPD)
In a second incident two days later, on May 4, three people ran into the church. A 33-year-old woman tried to stop the trio, but the suspects hit her in the hands and arms.
The suspects ran off, but two of the same suspects went up to the Church of Scientology of Harlem on 125th St. and Third Ave. later that night, around 9:30 p.m., and tried to get inside. One of the men was dressed as a security guard while the other recorded him, cops said.
The pair again tried to break into the Church of Scientology of Harlem on May 13 “to create online content,” but were quickly grabbed by security and held for police.
Cops arrested 19-year-old Jaelen Dinkins, 21-year-old Mohammed Amolegbe, and 28-year-old Tashaun Simms, for the May 4 incident at the Midtown location and the two incidents in Harlem.
Police have released surveillance video images of more than a dozen individuals who they said stormed into the Church of Scientology of New York’s headquarters in Midtown as part of a viral Tiktok stunt known as “speedrunning.” (NYPD)
Dinkins and Amolegbe were charged with burglary, criminal mischief and assault as hate crimes. Simms was charged with obstructing government administration and tampering with physical evidence as a hate crime.
Police say Dinkins is from Midwood, Brooklyn. Amolegbe is from New Brunswick, N.J., and Simms is from the Bronx.
Police have released surveillance video images of more than a dozen individuals who they said stormed into the Church of Scientology of New York’s headquarters in Midtown as part of a viral Tiktok stunt known as “speedrunning.” (NYPD)
At their arraignment, all three were released without bail, officials said.
No arrests have been made in the May 2 incident, cops said.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the May 2 raid to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
With News Wire Services