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(NEXSTAR) – Arizona police arrested a 21-year-old TikToker known for his prank videos Wednesday after he allegedly targeted several well-known chains in Tempe.
Heston Cobb, who uses the name “Heston James” on his social media channels, faces one count of burglary, two counts of criminal impersonation, five counts of disorderly conduct and five counts of criminal trespass.
Cobb is accused of orchestrating pranks on Pep Boys, Hyland Auto Repair, Big Brand Tire & Service, Jiffy Lube and Chipotle locations between March and July.
Police began investigating after local businesses complained “of a group of men coming into their store dressed as employees,” according to Tempe PD news release. “These men began seriously disrupting their businesses by entering employee-only areas and refusing to leave when asked.”
The Heston James TikTok account has been deleted, but his apparent official YouTube and Instagram accounts are still live, with over 78,000 subscribers and 1.2 million followers, respectively. Nexstar’s reports that Cobb’s TikTok account had 1.6 million followers.
A reposted “Heston James” video on TikTok purportedly shows Cobb showing up at a Target store, claiming to have been sent over with a large group of employees to help at the location.
When the crew of fake Target employees enters the store, some wearing convincing red shirts and apparent Target lanyards, the actual employees try to put a stop to the prank.
“Do not let them on the lanes,” says an employee who identifies himself as the store director. “You guys do not work here, you guys need to get out.”
Another series of video shorts posted to Cobb’s YouTube channel shows Cobb and others “pranking” store workers by screaming in the aisles and then pretending not to have done it.
Police said Cobb’s own videos, which garnered millions of views, ultimately linked him to the pattern of disturbances. On Wednesday, police arrested him at his home and served a search warrant.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office officials told Nexstar Monday that Cobb was released on bond July 25.
