ENGLEWOOD, Fla. – A teenage TikTok user was arrested late Tuesday after deputies say he tried to remain inside a Walmart store overnight to complete a social media challenge aimed at generating online views.
Just after 11 p.m. on January 13, deputies with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported burglary at the Walmart located at 2931 S. McCall Road in Englewood. Store employees reported a male inside the closed business who was actively livestreaming on TikTok.
Deputies entered the store and located the suspect, identified as Isaac M. Hurley, born March 22, 2007, hiding in the dog bed section. Investigators determined Hurley entered the store around 10:15 p.m. and intended to remain inside for 24 hours as part of an online challenge, hoping to earn money based on viewer engagement.
During the investigation, deputies also learned Hurley removed an iPhone charger from its packaging while inside the store.
“I’m not sure why people buy into these social media challenges when they are clearly encouraging you to violate the law,” said Bill Prummell. “Young people especially are putting themselves in bad situations and paying the price for it.”
Hurley was arrested and charged with burglary of an occupied structure and petit theft. He was transported to the Charlotte County Jail and later bonded out on a $1,500 bond.
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