Posted on 07/09/2025 6:23:32 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Hyland claimed his shop was the target of a social media prank ahead of the holiday weekend. However, he said these people’s pursuit of social media clicks could have taken a dangerous turn. “We didn’t know if they were grabbing stuff and stealing it or just filming a prank,” Hyland said.
According to Hyland, this all started when two guys walked up to the repair shop. “They were making accusations or threats that they were sent here to take over the business,” he said.
Hyland said everyone in the shop was confused. That’s when a van full of people pulled up. “20 guys with tire irons, impact wrench, screw drivers all items used to work on car but can also be used as weapons,” he said.
In their surveillance video, you can see the people appear to be dressed as auto mechanics flood the bay, looking at cars and equipment. During this time, Hyland thought they were being robbed, so they called the police.
It wasn’t until later they learned this was a stunt for social media.
Hyland had to close up the shop for the day as they took inventory of all their items to make sure nothing was taken. They also had to contact all the customers whose cars were there. “All the vehicles that they did lean into or open the doors on we did call our clients have them come down and look at their vehicles to make sure nothing was damaged,” he said.
Tempe police confirm they have received several reports of a person who goes by “Heston James” on social media doing similar acts to other businesses. Arizona’s Family reached out to his pages but received no response.
(Excerpt) Read more at azfamily.com ...
Stupid prank. A lot of people in Arizona carry open and or concealed and somebody might very likely have felt that this was a life-threatening act.
Heston James, doesn’t have the stuff to have a real job.
That is literally one mile from us. It sounds like a real stupid prank. It’s not funny.
Not funny without Mike.
Probably not his real name because he knows he’s a punk and doesn’t want any accountability for his actions.
CC
I hate practical jokes and “pranks.” I hope this idiot steps over the line with the wrong guy.
In a sane world, this c-word would get a swift ass kicking, and the joke would be done with.
This is stupid. Where in Arizona did this happen?
Pitiful reporting
Tempe, right outside Phoenix. The name of the city is ready to headline. Still a poorly written article.
Social media pranks that involve violations of the law should be ripe for conspiracy charges. The fact that the conspiracy is online shouldn’t matter.
This was not a prank, it was a criminal trespass.
Had anyone in the shop been armed, this could have been a bad day.
Frankly, people that do this need to be arrested
Make Social media pranks a felony and prosecute to the fullest extent.
Stupid prank indeeed one way to see if you passed the stupidity test.
911 called
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