Video Captures Group of Teens Entering NYC Church of Scientology in Social Media Prank

A group of teenagers and young adults launched an assault on the Church of Scientology in New York this past May, wreaking havoc and causing damages exceeding $10,000. The incident, captured in video footage obtained by Fox News Digital, appears to have been motivated by a social media trend that went viral.

On May 2, more than 30 individuals forced their way through a secured door located on the church’s side entrance on West 46th Street. At the time, church members were inside attending a service, according to the New York Police Department’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information, who spoke with Fox News Digital.

During the chaos, the perpetrators tossed chairs and vandalized the premises. Video footage revealed some of them smiling and covering security cameras with silly string. Notably, several participants were seen carrying high-quality cameras to record the mayhem, seemingly emulating a similar craze that has recently emerged on the West Coast.

In Los Angeles, teenagers have begun participating in so-called “speed runs,” where they dash into Scientology churches, capturing footage of themselves attempting to remain inside these places of worship for as long as they can.

YOUTHS CHARGED WITH BREAKING INTO NYC CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY AMID VIRAL ‘SPEEDRUNNING’ CRAZE

Suspects in the burglary of New York’s Church of Scientology (New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner, Public Information (DCPI))

The New York edition resulted in hate crime charges for two of the alleged participants. 29-year-old Jaelen Dinkens and 21-year-old Mohammed Amolegbe were charged with burglary, criminal mischief and assault as hate crimes while 28-year-old Tashaun Simms was charged with obstructing governmental administration and tampering with physical evidence, according to the New York Post. 

VIRAL TIKTOK TREND OF TEENS RUNNING THROUGH SCIENTOLOGY BUILDINGS SPARKS HATE CRIME ALLEGATIONS

Suspects in the burglary of New York’s Church of Scientology (New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner, Public Information (DCPI))

Participants in the episode also injured an employee of the church, a 30-year-old who sustained minor injuries after being kicked in the leg.

“Some online have referred to these incidents as ‘speed running.’ In reality, they involve organized trespasses into religious and public information facilities for social media attention,” the church told the New York Post.

Suspects in the burglary of New York’s Church of Scientology (New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner, Public Information (DCPI))

“A group of individuals forced their way into the Church of Scientology New York, broke a locked door to gain entry, and rushed into the building,” the church told the outlet.

“The disruption endangered staff, parishioners and visitors, including individuals attending a seminar at the time. This was not a peaceful visit or lawful protest. It was a coordinated act involving forced entry, property damage, and physical aggression inside a house of worship.” 

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